The latest weighing technology in a compact footprint, combined with a self-emptying, monolithically manufactured precision rocker, enables the rain[e] to achieve outstanding resolution and accuracy. Even the first drop is measured! This weighing precipitation sensor is ideal for setting up new measurement networks or supplementing existing ones.
The rain[e] precipitation sensor measures precipitation amount and intensity. The rain[e] combines the advantages of the latest weighing technology with a self-emptying, monolithic precision tipping bucket. This achieves high resolution and precision with a significantly smaller overall volume. Thus, the rain[e] offers higher resolution and precision than conventional precipitation sensors using the tipping bucket measuring principle, while at the same time being significantly smaller than conventional weighing sensors, as no collecting container is required. The main sensor is a high-precision load cell with overload protection. Its temperature coefficient is determined, if necessary, using a temperature sensor inside the housing. The reed contact pulses triggered by tipping the tipping bucket are used to correct errors during periods of high precipitation intensities. In addition, the self-emptying mechanism of the tipping bucket allows for uninterrupted weighing.
The rain[e] measures or calculates the following values:
► Rainfall amount (pulse or analog output) The rain[e] provides the rainfall amount in real time via the pulse or analog output with a maximum resolution of 0.01 mm.
► Rainfall intensity of the last minute (SDI-12 or RS485 interface) The rain[e] measures six times per minute and adds these values to a moving total—this means that each time a new value is measured, it is added to the previous five, thus generating the new intensity value for the last minute. Fig. 1b rain[e] · rain[e]400 Operating Manual 5 Operating Manual Rainfall Sensor rain[e] · rain[e]400
► Rainfall intensity since last retrieval (SDI-12 or RS485 interface) The difference in rainfall since the last retrieval is divided by the time since the last retrieval. If the last retrieval was less than 30 seconds ago, the intensity from the last minute is automatically used.
► Rainfall since last retrieval (SDI-12 or RS485 interface) Difference in quantity between the new and the last retrieval
► Minimum precipitation intensity of the last x minutes (SDI-12 or RS485 interface) For x minutes, every minute the value for the intensity of the last minute is compared with that of the previous minute and the smaller of the two is retained.
► Maximum precipitation intensity of the last x minutes (SDI-12 or RS485 interface) For x minutes, every minute the value for the intensity of the last minute is compared with that of the previous minute and the higher of the two is retained.
► Average intensity of the last x minutes (SDI-12 or RS485 interface) Counts the amount of precipitation over x minutes in 0.01 mm steps and divides the result by the x minutes.
► Variance (SDI-12 or RS485 interface) Variance of measured values over 4 s
The device is characterized by the following features:
- outstanding resolution and precision
- for testing sensors with tipping buckets and other weighing systems
- compact and robust design with very low weight
- All-metal housing, weatherproof and durable
- high connectivity through diverse interfaces
