TE525-L Rain Gage

Overview

The TE525, manufactured by Texas Electronics, has a 6 in. orifice and measures rainfall in 0.01 in. increments. It is compatible with all Campbell Scientific dataloggers, and it is widely used in environmental monitoring applications.

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Benefits and Features

  • Accuracy is ±1 percent at rates up to 1 in./hr
  • Compatible with most Campbell Scientific data loggers
  • High precision—tips at 0.01-in. increments
  • Compatible with the CWS900-series interfaces, allowing it to be used in a wireless sensor network

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Technical Description

The TE525 funnels precipitation into a bucket mechanism that tips when filled to its calibrated level. A magnet attached to the tipping mechanism actuates a switch as the bucket tips. The momentary switch closure is counted by the pulse-counting circuitry of our data loggers.

Specifications

Sensor Type Tipping bucket with magnetic reed switch
Material Anodized aluminum
Operating Temperature Range 0° to 50°C
Resolution 1 tip
Volume per Tip 4.73 ml/tip (0.16 fl. oz/tip)
Rainfall per Tip 0.254 mm (0.01 in.)
Accuracy 1.0% up to 50 mm/h (2 in./h)
Cable Type 2-conductor shielded
Orifice Diameter 15.4 cm (6.06 in.)
Height 24.1 cm (9.5 in.)
Cable Weight 0.1 kg (0.2 lb) per 3.05 m (10 ft) length
Tipping Bucket Weight 0.9 kg (2.0 lb)

Compatibility

Please note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible products.

Dataloggers

Product Compatible Note
CR1000 (retired)
CR1000X
CR300
CR3000 (retired)
CR310
CR350
CR6
CR800 (retired)
CR800 (retired)
CR850 (retired)
CR850 (retired)
CR850 (retired)
CR850 (retired)

Additional Compatibility Information

Mounting

The TE525 rain gage mounts to a CM300-series Mounting Pole or a user-supplied 1.5-in. IPS pole. Several pedestal options are available to secure a CM300-series pole to the ground (see Ordering Information). Accurate measurements require the gage to be level.

Snowfall Adapter

The TE525 cannot be directly used with our CS705 rainfall adapter. However, the CS705 is compatible with the TE525WS, and the TE525 can be converted to a TE525WS by returning it to Campbell Scientific (requires an RMA).

Wind Screen

Campbell Scientific offers the 260-953 Wind Screen to help minimize the effect of wind on the rain measurements. This wind screen consists of 32 leaves that hang freely and swing as the wind moves past them.


Related FAQs

Number of FAQs related to TE525-L: 14

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  1. The accuracy of the TE525-L diminishes as rainfall intensity increases (see the Accuracy specification) because at higher intensities, rain will keep pouring into the tipping mechanism as it is tipping, causing missed tips. The maximum listed intensity in the specifications is 2 to 3 in./hr, which would give an accuracy of +0%, -5%.

  2. Replacement funnels can be ordered by calling an application engineer at Campbell Scientific.

  3. When a rain gage is out of calibration, it is usually because of the buildup of dirt and grime on the internal surfaces of the tipping bucket mechanism. Cleaning the internal surfaces usually brings the rain gage back into calibration. It is also possible that a rain gage is out of calibration because it is no longer level.

    To minimize the possible occurrence of calibration errors, perform routine cleaning and maintenance of the rain gage at least once every three months. The environmental conditions at a particular site may require a facility to perform cleaning, leveling, and maintenance on a much more frequent schedule.

  4. A TE525-L can be converted to a TE525MM-L and vice versa because the inner tipping mechanisms are the same. To convert a TE525-L or TE525MM-L to a TE525WS-L, the rain gage must be sent in to Campbell Scientific to change the tipping mechanism. If an 8 inch funnel is used on a TE525-L or TE525MM-L without changing the tipping mechanism, the multipliers for the rain measurement will change. For information about these multipliers, see the TE525 Instruction Manual

  5. The most common errors are either that the rain gage appears to have drifted out of calibration or that the tips are not being correctly recorded by the datalogger. 

  6. To incorporate a sensor that is compatible with wireless sensor interfaces into a wireless network, a CWS900-series wireless sensor interface is needed, as well as an A205 CWS-to-PC interface to configure it. 

  7. The information included on a calibration sheet differs with each sensor. For some sensors, the sheet contains coefficients necessary to program a datalogger. For other sensors, the calibration sheet is a pass/fail report.

  8. The 260-953 Alter-type rain gage wind screen consists of 32 heavy metal leaves that hang freely and swing as the wind moves past them. The swinging leaves act as a wind damper and help minimize the effect of wind on the rain measurements without adding additional turbulence.

  9. The CS705 Tipping Bucket Snowfall Adapter cannot be used directly with the TE525-L or TE525MM-L because of the funnel size. To make the rain gages compatible, they can either be sent to Campbell Scientific to be converted to a TE525WS-L, or an 8 inch funnel can be installed. If the funnel is used, see the instruction manual for the appropriate multipliers, as they will change.

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