CSC Product Information

Product Information - FC-525

Field Calibration Kit for TE525 -series rain gauges

General Description

The FC-525 Field Calibration Kit is designed to be a field verification of accuracy for the TE525 series Rain Gauges. This unit is not intended to substitute a dynamic laboratory calibration, however it is a great indicator of accuracy. The kit comes complete with everything necessary to verify the accuracy and functionality of the rain gauge, including multiple nozzles for testing over various rainfall rates.

There are typically two different types of calibration for a tipping bucket. The first, most common yet least accurate, is a static calibration. The second and most accurate is a dynamic calibration. (Note: This kit allows for a dynamic calibration of a rain gauge in the field.)

Static calibration is when a specific volume of water is placed into a tipping mechanism. The mechanism is then adjusted until it tips. This process is sometimes continued until both sides of the tipping mechanism tip at the specified volume of water. Dynamic calibration utilizes a similar technique but also tests over time. A specific volume of water is poured into the tipping mechanism over a specific period of time. The main difference in this calibration is that calibrating over time allows for compensation of error cause by spillage. When a tipping bucket fills to the point of tipping there is a brief time when additional water is allowed into the gauge. This additional water is called spillage or overage and typically causes tipping buckets to read low at high rainfall rates. Hence a quality rain gauge will be calibrated over a range of rainfall rates or flow rates to minimize this error.

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