1 sutron corporation total precipitation gauge (tpg)sutron.com total precipitation gauge (tpg)...

1Sutron Corporation Total Precipitation Gauge (TPG) sutron.com

Total Precipitation Gauge (TPG)

12/19/13


Sutron’s Total Precipitation Gauge (TPG) is a weighing bucket gauge with a built-in logger designed for remote measurement of precipitation. The TPG can be equipped with multiple load sensors for added redundancy and reliability. Sutron designed the TPG using technology proven in the NWS Fischer Porter Rebuild kit program. Instead of refurbishing an ageing Fischer Porter Gauge, many users will find it easier to simply replace with Sutron’s TPG.

Overview

TPG, Single CellTPG-0001-1


TPG Applications

• Hydro-Met monitoring systems• Municipal hydrology• Flood warning systems• Stormwater monitoring networks• Water balance models• Watershed and catchment basin studies• Climate change studies• Tropical and arctic monitoring• Tipping bucket upgrades• Replacement of Fischer/Porter gauges• CRN -- Climate reference network• AWS – automatic weather stations• ASOS/AWOS – Automated Weather Observing System (airports)• NWS Co-op modernization


• Measures all forms of precipitation: drizzle, rain, sleet, snow, graupel, and hail.

• No moving parts – greater reliability and lower maintenance (less clogging) than tipping buckets.

• High capacity – 36” (914mm) precipitation – with option to expand range to 72” or higher using auto-drain.

• SDI-12 interface to Satlink, IridiumLink, GPRS/CDMALink or other loggers

• Built-in logger for data redundancy to station logger, or can act as a standalone logging sensor.

• Low power consumption (<1ma standby) for long life of battery.

• NIST traceable factory calibration with simple field verification/calibration.

• Simple mounting on 4.5” OD pipe• Optional Wind Shield to increase

catchment of precipitation – studies show that gauges without shields miss 25-50% of solid precipitation in windy environments.

• Optional heater – eliminates capping of the sensor in heavy snows or areas with riming ice (requires line power).

• Based on NWS Precip Gauge Upgrade technology being used in over 1000 stations.

• WMO compliant (manual 306, No 8)

TPG Features


TPG Specifications• Measurements: Precipitation, Precip rate, Internal Temp, Battery

• Automeasure Interval : 1 second to 24 hours

• Measurement Technique: Precision hermetically sealed load cell

• Accuracy: 0.02" (0.6mm) -25°C to +60°C

• Range: 36" (914 mm) standard, >72" (1800 mm) with optional drain kit

• Enclosure: UV Resistant ABS plastic Cover, 8" diameter aluminum inlet with knife edge. Cast aluminum base with 4" pipe mount (for 4.5" OD

pipe)

• Communication Ports: SDI-12, RS232

• Operating Temperature: -40°C to +60°C

• Built-In Flash Memory: 4 MB (>300,000 readings)

• Clock Accuracy (at 0°C – 40°C): 20 seconds per month

• Power Requirements: 9-18 VDC

• Current Drain: <1mA @12 VDC standby, 5ma active

• Communication Protocols: MODBUS, SDI-12


TPG Operation Theory & Components

• 8” diameter opening allows all types precipitation to fall into the collection bucket

• Optional heater keeps opening free from snow and ice

• Oil layer reduces evaporation

• Antifreeze in bucket melts snow/ice

• Precision load cell weighs the precipitation

• Electronics convert weights into precipitation amounts, logs data, and sends data to main station logger/telemetry

• Optional drain kit empties bucket when it precipitation reaches 70% capacity

• Mounts on 4.5” OD pipe


• WMO is testing the TPG in the Solid Precipitation Inter-Comparison Experiment (SPICE).

• TPG3 with Alter shield catches 25-50% more than TPG1 without shield.

Windscreen Benefits

Windscreen Example


• USACE

• USGS

• National Park Service

• Bureau of Reclamation

Client Portfolio – U.S.A


• WMO

• Hoskin Scientific

• Anyone else?

Client Portfolio – International


Installation Examples

Demo Station – Sutron Headquarters Rooftop, Sterling VA

Master Station



Gated Weather Station with TPG - Kabul, Afghanistan



TPG in Bulgaria



???, Alaska



WMO’s Solid Precipitation Inter-Comparison Experiment (SPICE) – Marshall, Colorado


TPG Models & Options

ModelsTPG-0001-1 TPG, single cell

TPG-0003-1 TPG, triple cell

OptionsTPG-DK TPG Drain Kit

TPG-HK-120 TPG Heater kit, 120V, 200W

TPG-HK-240 TPG Heater kit, 240V,200W

TPG-HK-48 TPG Heater kit, 48V, 200W

TPG-WS-36-GA TPG Windscreen - Galvanized

TPG-WS-36-SS TPG Windscreen - Stainless Steel

TPG-WS-48 TPG Windshield, 48” diameter

WS-24-EXT-GA Windscreen Extension - Galvanized

WS-24-EXT-SS Windscreen Extension - Stainless Steel

1 sutron corporation total precipitation gauge (tpg)sutron.com total precipitation gauge (tpg)...

Documents

sutrons tpg

overview tpg

weighing bucket gauge

single cell tpg

c range

ageing fischer porter

c builtin flash memory

loggers builtin logger