There are three main types of rain gauges for measuring rainfall, using three different methods. There are three main types of rain gauges, namely standard rain gauge, dump rain gauge and weighing rain gauge. Although the basic operation of rain gauges is usually the same as thesemain rain gauge types, further distinctions can be made between how rain gauges are set up and how data is transmitted. Let’s take a closer look at these types of rain gauges and how they work.

The Standard Rain Gauge

The recording of rainfall using the standard or funnel rain gauge is generally done manually. These gauges work by catching the falling rain in a funnel-shaped collector that is attached to a measuring tube. The area of the collector is 10 times that of the tube; thus, the rain gauge works by magnifying the liquid by a factor of 10.

Magnifying the rain in this way allows precise measurements down to a one-hundredth of an inch. Amounts that exceed the tube capacity are caught in the outer shell of the gauge, allowing the recorder to pour out the liquid in the tube and fill it back up if needed.

The Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge

The operation of a tipping bucket rain gauge is quite different from the standard gauge. The receiving funnel leads to one of two small buckets. Filling of one bucket occurs at one-hundredth of an inch. The result is a “tipping” of the liquid into the outer shell of the gauge, triggering the second bucket to take its place. The process then repeats itself, allowing for precise measurement of rainfall intensity and amount. This gauge has become standard for wireless weather stations.

The Weighing Rain Gauge

The universal weighing rain gauge is optimal for climatology use. This is because of a vacuum that accounts for the effects of wind, allowing more rain to enter the gauge. These gauges are very precise in measuring rainfall intensity as the weighing mechanism at the bottom of the collector can be used to measure depth and time simultaneously. Recording is carried out much in the same way as the older versions of the tipping bucket gauges.

If you are interested in purchasing a rain sensor of your own, take a look through JXCT’s selection of rainfall instruments today. Or, if you have a question for a member of our team, be sure to contact us for more information.