rain sensor working principle
Within the domains of meteorological observation and water resources management, rain detector drop sensor serve as a stealthy protector. Thanks to their precise measurements and reliable data, they help us understand the secrets of natural rainfall. A rainwater sensor is a high-tech tool made to measure rainfall. Its emergence has greatly improved the accuracy and speed of rain gauge sensor monitoring. This provides important support for many areas, such as weather forecasting, water research, and farming. Let’s learn how the rain precipitation sensor works.
Tipping bucket rain drop sensor
Working principle:
This device has several parts. It includes a water-bearing device, an upper tipping bucket, a measuring tipping bucket, and a counting tipping bucket. Through the water bearing device, rainwater enters the upper tipping bucket. When rainwater collects to a certain level, the upper tipping bucket will tip over. It will then pour the rainwater into the measuring bucket.
Generally, the capacity of the measuring tipping bucket remains unchanged. For example, it might correspond to 0.1 mm or 0.2 mm of rainfall. We can calculate the exact amount of rainfall by counting how often the tipping bucket turns over.
Optical rain detector sensor
Working principle:
The principle of light scattering, transmission or reflection is used to measure rainfall. When a raindrop passes through a beam, it causes a change in the intensity, frequency, or phase of the light.
The amount of rainfall by detecting these changes and then carrying out signal processing and algorithm calculation.
Features:
Fast response speed and is capable of real-time monitoring of rainfall changes.
No mechanical parts, high reliability, not easy to damage.
The precision is higher and less affected by external environmental factors.
However, the cost is relatively high, and there are certain requirements for the installation and use environment.
Piezoelectric rainfall
Working principle:
When a raindrop hits the rain detector sensor, it creates a small vibration in the sensor. These vibrations are extremely faint. When a raindrop hits, it causes vibrations. These vibrations create stress on the piezoelectric material in the vibrating element. This stress leads to the piezoelectric effect, which generates an electric charge. Through this progression, we can effectively transmute the impact energy of the raindrop into an electrical signal.
Features:
High accuracy: The impact intensity and frequency of raindrops can be accurately measured, thus accurately calculating rainfall.
High sensitivity: Tiny raindrops can create clear electrical signals. This makes it good for measuring light rain and small amounts of rainfall.
Fast response: It can monitor the change of rainfall in real time, and the response speed is fast, which can provide timely rainfall sensor data.
High reliability: no mechanical moving parts, not susceptible to wear and damage, long service life.
customer case
Monitoring environment：
We mount a weather station with a tripod on the roof. We use metal tipping – bucket rainwater sensor to collect rainfall in the vicinity of the house.
Rainfall resolution：0.1mm
Power supply:solar-powered
Data cycle:Upload every 15 minutes
Transmission mode:4G Data is uploaded to the CODA platform
To see how rain affects the riover level, we put a piezoelectric rainwater sensor on a pole by the river. We carefully choose this location because it provides an optimal vantage point for accurate data collection.
Rainfall resolution：0.2mm
Power supply:solar-powered
Data cycle:Upload every 30 minutes
Transmission mode:RS485 Integration into the system for data analysis
Monitoring environment：
Install rainwater sensor in mountainous highlands to monitor how much rain falls in the area over time.
Rainfall resolution：0.2mm
Power supply:solar-powered
Data cycle:Upload every 60 minutes
Transmission mode:4G Data is uploaded to the CODA platform
Conclusion
In conclusion, rain gauge sensor hold an indispensable position in numerous sectors including meteorology, agriculture, hydrology, and transportation. As technology keeps changing and improving, rainwater sensors will get better. Their uses will also keep growing. We expect that they will provide more convenience and benefits for many areas and for people’s daily lives.
