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.
The capacity of the measuring tipping bucket usually stays the same. For example, it can measure 0.1 mm or 0.2 mm of rain. We can find the total rainfall by counting how many times the tipping bucket tips 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 is measured by detecting changes. Then, signal processing and algorithm calculations are done.
Features:
It has a fast response speed and can monitor rainfall changes in real-time.
There are no mechanical parts, which makes it very reliable and hard to damage.
It offers high precision and is less affected by outside factors.
However, it is relatively expensive and has specific requirements for installation and use.
Piezoelectric rainfall
Working principle:
When a raindrop hits the rain detector sensor, it makes a small vibration. These vibrations are very faint. When a raindrop lands, it causes these vibrations. The vibrations create stress on the piezoelectric material in the sensor. This stress leads to the piezoelectric effect, which produces an electric charge. This process changes the energy from the raindrop into an electrical signal.
Features:
High accuracy: We can measure how hard and how often raindrops fall. This helps us calculate rainfall accurately.
High sensitivity: Small raindrops can create strong electrical signals. This makes it useful for measuring light rain and small amounts of rain.
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 moving parts, not prone to wear or damage, and a long service life.
customer case
Monitoring environment：
We set up a weather station on the roof using a tripod. We use a metal tipping-bucket rain sensor to collect rainfall near the house.
Rainfall resolution: 0.1 mm
Power supply: solar-powered
Data cycle: Upload every 15 minutes
Transmission mode: 4G. Data is sent to the CODA platform.
To see how rain affects the river level, we placed a piezoelectric rainwater sensor on a pole by the river. We chose this spot carefully because it is the best place for accurate data collection.
Rainfall resolution: 0.2 mm
Power supply: solar-powered
Data cycle: Upload every 30 minutes
Transmission mode: RS485
Integration: Used for data analysis
Monitoring environment：
Install a rainwater sensor in the mountains. This will help track how much rain falls in the area over time.
Rainfall resolution: 0.2 mm
Power supply: solar-powered
Data cycle: Upload every 60 minutes
Transmission mode: 4G. Data is sent to the CODA platform.
Conclusion
In conclusion, rain gauge sensors are very important in many fields like weather, farming, water management, and transport. As technology advances, these sensors will improve. Their uses will continue to expand. We believe they will offer more convenience and benefits for many areas and for people’s daily lives.
