Precipitation Monitoring Technology - Tipping Bucket
Rain Gauges
330 Rodinea Road, Unit 3
Vaughan, Ontario, Canada L6A 4P5 www.civi.ca
(905) 417-9792
1
Copyright
Civica
Infrastructure
Inc.,
2022

• Operates on tipping bucket
principle
• 200mm receiver
• 0.2mm bucket capacity
• 0 to 700mm/hr. measuring
range
• +/-2% calibration accuracy for
intensities from 25 to 500mm/hr.
• -20oC to 70oC operating range
Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge - Model TB3/TB4
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• Tips of bucket occur with each
0.2mm of precipitation collected
• Reed switch detects events and
produces a momentary contact
closure 200mm receiver
diameter collects rainfall
TB3 Tipping Bucket Characteristics
3

• Rainfall measurements are intended
to be representative of the actual
rain falling on a given area.
• Factors to consider when installing
include:
• Placing the gauge on level
ground
• Have adequate protection from
strong winds
• Free of large obstructions such
as buildings and trees
• Suitable ground surface to avoid
splashing into the gauge
TB3 Installation – Site Selection
4

• A dual reed switch is on
each rain gauge
• Two isolated switches permit
the control of two separate
circuits; a local counter and a
telemetry circuit
TB3 Installation – Electrical
5

• Catch Filter
• Syphon
• Interior of Bucket
• Top surface of adjusting
screws
• Enclosure locking screws
• All insect screens
The only routine maintenance required is cleaning.
Surface tension changes can occur if proper routine
maintenance is not conducted.
Isopropyl Alcohol is recommended for surface cleaning.
TB3 Maintenance
6

• TB3 rain gauge is calibrated at
the factory prior to shipment
• TB3 should hold its calibration for
100,000’s of events prior to a
calibration being required
• Prior to conducting a calibration
check, a thorough cleaning of the
rain gauge is required
• most often a cleaning will bring
the TB3 back into specified
accuracy without having to do a
calibration
Specified accuracy is
+/- 2% for 0 to
100mm/hr.
TB3 Calibration
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TB3 Field Calibration Device
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• Fill the FCD and place the device
on the raingauge
• Open breather valve
• Count tips manually or record
bucket tips using a data logger,
digital totalizer during discharge of
water through the raingauge
• After vessel is empty, check the
number of tips accumulated per
discharge
• A total of 104 tips should be
recorded +/- 2% after the 653mL of
water drains from the FCD into the
Raingauge (approximately 12
minutes for this procedure to run)
TB3 Field Calibration Procedure
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Civica’s Collection System
Management Services
• Flow and Rainfall Monitoring
• Sewer Modelling (InfoWorks, InfoSewer, SWM Engine, etc.)
• Custom I&I Reduction Strategies
• Sewer Testing (Smoke, Dye, MH inspections)
• CCTV Mainline Inspections (Dry and Wet-Weather, Flushing)
• Stakeholder Engagement & Remediation Management
• Project/Program Management
10
Copyright
Civica
Infrastructure
Inc.,
2021

THANK YOU 330 Rodinea Road, Unit 3
Vaughan, Ontario, Canada L6A 4P5
www.civi.ca
(905) 417-9792
Copyright
Civica
Infrastructure
Inc.,
2022
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