Innovating the Tipping-Bucket Rain Gauge Through a 5-Probe Rainfall Quantification Technique

The Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge (TBRG) is a widely used instrument for rainfall measurement, but its traditional magnetic counting and tip-based mechanisms often lead to inaccuracies, such as underestimations or overestimations. These inaccuracies primarily arise from limitations in magnetic sensing and the mechanical aspects of tip quantification. This study introduces and evaluates a novel multi-probe water level sensor as an alternative to traditional TBRG mechanisms. By replacing magnetic sensing with a water level detection system, the proposed method aims to enhance measurement accuracy by directly detecting the rainwater accumulation in the bucket. Experimental results demonstrated a minor measurement underestimation, with a relative error of 0.62% across both bucket compartments. Key factors influencing performance included sensor sensitivity, algorithmic logic, bucket design and material, and the type of metallic probe used. This research highlights the potential of the multi-probe system to improve the precision and reliability of TBRG measurements.