T-200B Precipitation Gauge Brochure

T-200B - 18 hr. Precipitation Event

PHOTOS OF INSTALLATIONS

1-1 An Automatic Precip. Gauge Based on VW Strain Gauges, Steinar Bakkehøi, Kjell Øien, Eirik Førland, 1985

Performance of the NOAA USCRN Weighing-bucket Precipitation Gauges during the Heavy Snowstorm Event of 5-8 December 2003

A Case Stdy of Vibrating Wire Sensors That Have Vibrated Continuously for 27 Years

The T-200 series precipitation gauge is designed for year round measurements of accumulated precipitation (solid or liquid) as well as precipitation intensity. The gauge consists of a protective housing with a 200cm^2 inlet for precipitation and a collection bucket. The amount of precipitation is measured by GEONOR’s unique vibrating-wire weighing transducer. In the standard set-up the gauge as well as a windshield, are fixed to a rigid pedestal. Despite its simplicity, the gauge is very accurate and easy to install and maintain.

For solid precipitation the catch is melted in the collection bucket to which antifreeze has been added. A film of low viscosity oil is used to impede evaporation. The gauge was designed to function in remote areas without heating;with proper power supply from batteries and solar panels electrical inlet heaters can be used to prevent or minimize "capping" of inlet. (See photos of installations.)

The T-200 series gauges were developed in 1985. The gauges supplied at that time are still continuously monitoring for various meteorological agencies. They are used worldwide by weather services, transportation agencies, power companies, avalanche prediction services and agricultural agencies. In comparison tests with other gauges, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) the Climate Reference Network (CRN) and the World Meteorological Organization/Commission for Instrument & Methods of Observation (WMO/CIMO) ranked the T-200 first.

There are no moving parts. The precipitation, oil and antifreeze in the container are weighed with a sensor giving a frequency output. The frequency will be a function of the tension applied to the vibrating wire. Simply put, the frequency increases as precipitation collected increases. The measuring principle is well suited for remote locations requiring reliable and long-lasting instruments.

The amount of precipitation can be measured at interval from seconds to weekly. This will be determined by the programming of the Data Logger in use.

Geonor supplies interface card for most programmable data loggers.