How to Choose a Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge?

Authoritative Selection & Pitfall-Avoidance Guide (Essential for Project Managers, Integrators, and Government Procurement)  

The market is flooded with tipping bucket rain gauge brands, confusing parameters, and marketing gimmicks—making it easy for users to be misled. So, how do you determine if a rain gauge is reliable? The answer is simple: follow the national standard. 

The National Standard GB/T 21978.2-2014 – Precipitation Observation Instruments – Part 2: Tipping Bucket Rain Gauges provides unified specifications for design, manufacturing, and testing. It is the true benchmark for product quality—not promotional copy.

 Below, based on this standard and NiuBoL’s extensive project experience, we break down the six core selection criteria to avoid costly mistakes. 

 1. Funnel Opening Design – The Core of Rainfall Accuracy 

The funnel opening determines measurement area accuracy. A non-compliant opening = unreliable rainfall data. 

Must meet three requirements: 

Common Pitfalls:

- Undersized openings (100–160mm) → Raindrops splash out → under-reporting  

- No size labeling → Immediate disqualification  

- Cheap thin stainless steel edges or folded substitutes → Zero precision guarantee  

- Partial 100mm depth only → “Looks compliant, structurally non-compliant”   

 2. Accuracy Requirements – Official Inspection Report Is Non-Negotiable 

Accuracy grades under GB/T 21978.2-2014 (rainfall intensity 0.01–4.0 mm/min): 

How to verify?  

✅ Demand an official inspection report from an authorized national metrology institute  

❌ Reject “factory test reports” or “third-party calibration reports” – they lack legal validity 

 3. Resolution Selection – Match Your Scenario 

> Warning: Claims like “0.5 mm is sufficient” → Immediate red flag – inadequate for precision needs  

 4. Rainfall Intensity Range – Often Overlooked but Critical 

The gauge must operate normally and maintain accuracy within its rated intensity. 

Beyond range →

- Bucket flips too fast  

- Funnel drainage lag  

- Overflow & severe data deviation 

 5. Internal Structure – Single vs. Dual Bucket

> Recommendation: Dual bucket for high-precision applications 

 6. Environmental Adaptability – Durability Is Reliability 

 7. Complete System Architecture – From Sensor to Cloud Management 

Modern monitoring requires system-level integration, not just a standalone sensor. 

Key Features:

- Third-party integration: Modbus/HTTP API → seamless with weather stations, irrigation, or hydrology platforms  

- Remote calibration → no on-site visits  

- Automated reports → daily/weekly/monthly exports  

 8. Selection Workflow – Match the Perfect Rain Gauge in 6 Steps 

1. Define Application: Agriculture / Hydrology / Research / Environmental  

2. Choose Resolution: 0.1 / 0.2 / 0.5 mm  

3. Select Communication: RS485 / LoRa / NB-IoT / 4G  

4. Assess Extreme Conditions: Snow / High salinity / Extreme cold  

5. Confirm Data Platform & Protocol: Cloud / PC / API / Modbus  

6. Verify Certification: Official inspection report + GB/T compliance 

> Tip: This workflow resolves ~80% of pre-sales queries and prevents pitfalls 

FAQ

Q: How does a tipping bucket rain gauge work? How long does it last?  

A: Rain fills the bucket → reaches threshold → tips → outputs pulse. Simple mechanics, 8–15 year lifespan. 

Q: Is it inferior to a weighing gauge?  

A: Different use cases. Tipping bucket: low cost, stable. Weighing: high precision for research. 

Q: Why does it under-report?  

A: Non-standard funnel, poor blade edge, improper installation, or wind effects. 

Q: Why insist on an official inspection report?  

A: Only national metrology institutes provide legal validity. Factory reports lack credibility. 

Q: How to verify blade edge compliance?  

A: Independent edge, sharp angle, 40°–45° → compare with GB/T 21978.2-2014. 

Q: Is higher resolution always better?  

A: No. Must match application and rainfall intensity. Over-spec increases noise and maintenance. 

Q: Does it require maintenance?  

A: Minimal: clean debris, check level, calibrate accuracy. High-quality units: 6–12 months. 

Q: Can it integrate with IoT platforms?  

A: Yes — RS485, Modbus, NB-IoT, LoRa, 4G → compatible with weather, hydrology, and agriculture systems. 

Q: Can it measure snow?  

A: Requires snow-to-rain converter or heating module; otherwise, snow clogs the funnel.

 Q: What’s the ideal installation height?  

A: 0.7–1.2 m above ground, no obstructions, perfectly level. 

Q: Are imported rain gauges better than domestic?  

A: Not necessarily. Mid-to-high-end Chinese brands now match imports if GB/T-compliant. 

Q: Can it withstand typhoons?  

A: Yes — with anti-wind base + labyrinth structure + compliant blade edge. 

Q: What’s the biggest pitfall?  

A: Low price + high accuracy claims = substandard materials, no certification.  

Conclusion: Choose the Right Rain Gauge Once – Solve Long-Term Issues 

Tipping bucket rain gauges are simple but precision-critical. Most problems arise from poor selection. 

Never go wrong with these six rules:

1. Funnel: φ200mm, inner wall ≥100mm, blade edge 40°–45°  

2. Official inspection report mandatory  

3. Resolution matched to scenario  

4. Intensity & environment-appropriate model  

5. Structure and materials determine long-term reliability  

6. Ignore marketing — trust the standard 

Rainfall monitoring is the data foundation for flood control, meteorology, hydrology, agriculture, and environmental protection. One wrong choice can compromise the entire system.

NiuBoL Tipping Bucket Rain Gauges are widely deployed in:

- National meteorological stations  

- Flash flood warning systems  

- Smart agriculture  

- Hydrological stations  

- Urban drainage systems  

- University research projects  

- Emergency disaster platforms 

We provide:  

- Technical spec comparisons  

- Tender specification documents  

- Project proposals  

- Technical Q&A  

- OEM/ODM services   

Ready to deploy reliable rainfall monitoring? Contact NiuBoL for a custom selection plan and quote.

Tipping bucket rain gauge data sheet

NBL-W-ARS-Tipping-bucket-rain-gauge-instruction-manual.pdf

NBL-W-RS-Rain-sensors-instruction-manual-V4.0.pdf

NBL-W-DRS-Double-Tipping-Bucket-Rain-Sensor-Instruction-Manual.pdf