Design and fabrication of a low cost automated tipping bucket rain gauge with locally available materials

Abstract

Rainfall measurement is a key requirement in some modern industrial and agricultural fields. Hydrological forecasting, flood control, landslide prediction and many hydrological models require accurate precipitation observations. Traditional or conventional rain gauges need time-consuming human mediation due to their manual operation. Due to the simplistic structure, ability to easily interface with an electronic controlling system, and relatively inexpensive design, the Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge (TBRG) has become one of the most popular automated rain gauges. However, for accuracy of data many such devices are required in a specific geographical area, a network of automated rain gauges.