Name: Induskey INK436 Tipping Bucket Rain Sensor
Brand: IndusKey.com
SKU: INK436
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

Description

1. Product Overview

The INK436 Tipping Bucket Rain Sensor is a precision mechanical instrument designed for accurate measurement of liquid precipitation. It detects rainfall amount, intensity, and onset/cessation times using a proven tipping bucket mechanism, making it ideal for traffic meteorology, environmental monitoring, and industrial weather stations. Its robust stainless steel construction and simple, reliable design ensure long-term performance in outdoor conditions.

2. Sensing Technology & Self-Cleaning System

Sensing Technology:
Rainwater passes through the stainless steel orifice and filter screen into a funnel, then into a dual-compartment tipping bucket. When one compartment fills (corresponding to 0.2 mm of rainfall), the bucket tips, triggering a dry reed switch to send a pulse signal. This cycle repeats, counting each tip to calculate total rainfall and intensity.
Self-Cleaning & Maintenance:
The integrated filter screen prevents large debris (leaves, dirt) from entering the funnel, reducing clogging. The sharp-edged stainless steel orifice resists corrosion and ensures consistent water flow. The modular design allows for easy cleaning and replacement of the reed switch, minimizing downtime.

3. Key Features & Competitive Advantages

Feature	Competitive Advantage
Standard 0.2 mm Resolution	Industry-standard resolution compatible with most meteorological systems
Stainless Steel Construction	Corrosion-resistant orifice and components for long outdoor service life
Simple Dry Reed Switch Output	Easy integration with PLCs, data loggers, and alarm systems
High Mechanical Durability	Rated for 1×10⁷ contact operations for extended use
Integrated Filter Screen	Prevents debris ingress and reduces maintenance frequency
Built-in Leveling Bubble	Ensures accurate installation for reliable tipping performance
Compact, Weatherproof Design	Optimized for traffic meteorological and environmental monitoring applications
Low Power, Contact-Based Operation	No external power required for basic switching applications

4. Technical Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Orifice Diameter	Φ200 +0.6 mm
Measurable Intensity	≤4 mm/min (operable up to 8 mm/min)
Resolution	0.2 mm (6.28 ml)
Accuracy (Indoor Static, 2 mm/min)	±3 %
Output Signal	Single dry reed switch on/off
Operating Temperature	0 ~ 50 °C
Storage Temperature	-10 °C ~ 50 °C
Switch Capacity	DC, V ≤12 V, I ≤500 mA
Contact Operations	1×10⁷ times
Dimensions (dia. × height)	Φ260 × 420 mm
Net Weight	Approx. 3 kg

5. Applications

Traffic Meteorological Monitoring: Detect rainfall intensity and onset/cessation for road weather safety systems.
Environmental Monitoring Stations: Measure precipitation data for climate and hydrological research.
Agricultural Meteorology: Support irrigation planning and crop management with accurate rainfall data.
Industrial Weather Stations: Deploy at industrial sites for operational safety and flood risk monitoring.
Urban Flood Warning Systems: Trigger alerts based on rainfall intensity and accumulation.
Building & Facility Management: Monitor rainfall for drainage system control and maintenance planning.
Educational & Research Use: Used in schools and labs for meteorological experiments and studies.
Remote Monitoring Networks: Integrated into distributed sensor networks for regional precipitation tracking.

Induskey INK436 Tipping Bucket Rain Sensor