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.

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 (retired)
CR300 (retired)
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.

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)


Related FAQs

Number of FAQs related to TE525-L: 5

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  1. The thermistor is located approximately 3 mm (0.125 in.) back from the probe tip.

  2. Note the difference between calibration and a field check. Calibration cannot be done in the field, as it requires an experienced technician and specialized equipment.

    Field checks of measurements can be done to determine if the data make sense with the real-world conditions. Follow these steps to field check a sensor:

    1. Find a second sensor of the same type as the installed sensor whose data is in question. The second sensor will be used as a benchmark sensor and should be known to be accurate or recently calibrated.
    2. At the site, take readings using both sensors under the same conditions. The best practice is to measure both sensors side-by-side at the same time. Note that the sensors will never have the exact same measurement.
    3. Depending on the sensor model, if the difference in the readings of the installed and benchmark sensors is greater than the sum of the accuracies for both sensors, either return the installed sensor to Campbell Scientific for calibration or replace the appropriate chip.
      • The 107-L/LC, 108-L/LC, 109-L, 110PV-L, and BlackGlobe-L temperature sensors can be calibrated.
      • The HC2S3-L and HMP155A-L temperature and relative humidity sensors can be calibrated.
      • The CS215-L has a replaceable chip for temperature and relative humidity. For more information, refer to the “Maintenance and Calibration” section of the CS215 instruction manual.
      • The HMP60-L has a replaceable chip for relative humidity only. For more information, refer to the “Maintenance” section of the HMP60 instruction manual.
  3. Most Campbell Scientific sensors are available as an –L, which indicates a user-specified cable length. If a sensor is listed as an –LX model (where “X” is some other character), that sensor’s cable has a user-specified length, but it terminates with a specific connector for a unique system:

    • An –LC model has a user-specified cable length for connection to an ET107, CS110, or retired Metdata1.
    • An –LQ model has a user-specified cable length for connection to a RAWS-P weather station.

    If a sensor does not have an –L or other –LX designation after the main model number, the sensor has a set cable length. The cable length is listed at the end of the Description field on the product’s Ordering tab. For example, the 034B-ET model has a description of “Met One Wind Set for ET Station, 67 inch Cable.” Products with a set cable length terminate, as a default, with pigtails.

    If a cable terminates with a special connector for a unique system, the end of the model number designates which system. For example, the 034B-ET model designates the sensor as a 034B for an ET107 system.

    • –ET models terminate with the connector for an ET107 weather station.
    • –ETM models terminate with the connector for an ET107 weather station, but they also include a special system mounting, which is often convenient when purchasing a replacement part.
    • –QD models terminate with the connector for a RAWS-F Quick Deployment Station.
    • –PW models terminate with the connector for a PWENC or pre-wired system.
  4. The sensor/probe consists of a non-linear thermistor configured with a precision resistor in a half-bridge circuit, as shown in the product’s manual:

    To measure the sensor/probe, the measurement device has to provide a precision excitation voltage (Campbell Scientific dataloggers use 2000 mV), measure the voltage across the precision resistor, determine the thermistor resistance (Ohm's law), and convert the resistance to temperature using the Steinhart-Hart equation.

    The Steinhart-Hart equation is 1/T = A + Bln(R) + C(ln(R))3 where:

    • T is the temperature in Kelvin
    • R is the resistance at T in ohms
    • A, B, and C are the Steinhart-Hart coefficients, which vary depending on the temperature range of interest, as well as the type and model of the thermistor

    For the 107-L, 107-LC, 108-L, and 108-LC, the following are the coefficients for the Steinhart-Hart equation:

    • A = 8.271111E-4
    • B = 2.088020E-4
    • C = 8.059200E-8

    For the 109-L, the following are the coefficients for the Steinhart-Hart equation:

    • A = 1.129241E-3
    • B = 2.341077E-4
    • C = 8.775468E-8
  5. Many Campbell Scientific sensors are available with different cable termination options. These options include the following:

    • The –PT (–PT w/Tinned Wires) option is the default option and does not display on the product line as the other options do. The cable terminates in pigtails that connect directly to a datalogger.
    • In the –C (–C w/ET/CS110 Connector) option, the cable terminates in a connector that attaches to a CS110 Electric Field Meter or an ET-series weather station.
    • In the –CWS (–CWS w/CWS900 Connector) option, the cable terminates in a connector that attaches to a CWS900-series interface. Connection to a CWS900-series interface allows the sensor to be used in a wireless sensor network.
    • In the –PW (–PW w/Pre-Wire Connector) option, the cable terminates in a connector that attaches to a prewired enclosure.
    • In the –RQ (–RQ w/RAWS Connector) option, the cable terminates in a connector that attaches to a RAWS-P Permanent Remote Automated Weather Station.

    Note: The availability of cable termination options varies by sensor. For example, sensors may have none, two, or several options to choose from. If a desired option is not listed for a specific sensor, contact an application engineer at Campbell Scientific for assistance.

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