RTD04 400 cm² Tipping-Bucket Precipitation Gauge thumbnail 1

Senseca

RTD04 400 cm² Tipping-Bucket Precipitation Gauge

400 cm² tipping bucket rain gauge for meteorological and environmental monitoring.

Rainfall resolution of 0.1, 0.2 or 0.5 mm/tip, depending on model
Maximum rainfall rate of 600 or 1000 mm/h, depending on resolution
Contact, RS485, SDI-12, MOSFET Open Drain, 4…20 mA or 0…10 V outputs, depending on model
IP65 aluminum alloy housing; heated versions operate from -25…+70 °C

Quantity

Overview

The Senseca RTD04 is a tipping bucket rain gauge designed for accurate and reliable rainfall measurement in meteorological and environmental monitoring applications, following WMO-No. 8 recommendations. It features a 400 cm² collecting area with an aluminum collector cone that directs rainwater into a calibrated tipping bucket. Each bucket tip generates an electrical pulse for rainfall measurement, with resolution options of 0.1, 0.2 or 0.5 mm/tip and maximum rainfall rates of 600 or 1000 mm/h, depending on the selected resolution.

The RTD04 series offers flexible integration through voltage-free NC contact, RS485, SDI-12, MOSFET Open Drain, 4…20 mA or 0…10 V outputs, depending on the model. Its corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy housing provides IP65 protection for long-term outdoor operation, while a removable inlet filter and non-stick collector cone facilitate cleaning and maintenance. Heated versions operate from -25…+70 °C, with automatic heating activation around +4 °C to help prevent snow deposits and ice formation, supporting reliable rainfall measurement in cold weather conditions.

Typical Applications

Rainfall measurement in meteorological and environmental monitoring stations
High-intensity rainfall measurement up to 1000 mm/h, depending on model
Rainfall data collection through data loggers and pulse counters
Cold-weather precipitation monitoring using heated models

Key Features

400 cm² rainfall collecting area
Calibrated tipping bucket mechanism with electrical pulse generation
Rainfall resolution of 0.1, 0.2 or 0.5 mm/tip, depending on model
Maximum rainfall rate of 600 or 1000 mm/h, depending on resolution
Designed according to WMO-No. 8 recommendations
Voltage-free NC contact, RS485, SDI-12, MOSFET Open Drain, 4…20 mA or 0…10 V outputs, depending on model
Integrated temperature, humidity, pressure and tilt sensors in digital and analog models
Corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy housing with IP65 protection
Removable inlet filter and non-stick collector cone
Heated versions operating from −25…+70 °C with automatic heating activation around +4 °C
Ø40…60 mm mast mounting with integrated bubble level
Factory calibrated with calibration value indicated on the instrument label

Benefits

Reliable rainfall measurement with a calibrated tipping bucket mechanism
Flexible output options to suit different monitoring systems
Reduced maintenance with removable filter and non-stick collector cone
Durable IP65 aluminum alloy construction for long-term outdoor use
Heated versions help prevent snow deposits and ice formation
Easier setup with factory calibration and integrated bubble level
Built-in diagnostics for monitoring instrument conditions in digital and analog models

Specifications

MEASUREMENT
Measuring principle	Tipping bucket mechanism
Collecting area	400 cm²
Measurement resolution	0.1, 0.2 or 0.5 mm/tip, depending on model
Maximum rainfall rate	600 mm/h (0.1 and 0.2 mm/tip models); 1000 mm/h (0.5 mm/tip models)
Accuracy at nominal resolution	±2.5% from 0…100 mm/h (0.2 mm at 50 mm/h nominal resolution); ±1.5% from 0…100 mm/h (0.5 mm at 50 mm/h nominal resolution)
Accuracy using correction curves	Typically less than ±2% up to 200 mm/h; less than ±4% above 200 mm/h
Measurement recommendations	Designed according to WMO-No. 8
Calibration	Factory calibrated; calibration value indicated on instrument label

OUTPUT AND COMMUNICATION
Voltage-free contact output	Normally closed (NC) reed contact
Digital outputs	RS485, SDI-12 and MOSFET Open Drain, depending on model
Analog outputs	4…20 mA or 0…10 V, depending on model
RS485 communication protocols	Modbus-RTU or proprietary ASCII
Digital output protocols	SDI-12 on RTD…F models
Electrical output connection	M12 connector (5-pin for contact-only models; 8-pin for digital/analog models)
Measurement correction	Automatic correction using stored curves in digital and analog models

ELECTRICAL
Supply voltage (digital/analog models)	7…30 Vdc
Supply voltage (contact-only models)	No external power supply required for measurement
Current consumption (RTD…F and RTD…V models)	Less than 7 mA at 24 Vdc, excluding heating
Current consumption (RTD…D models)	Less than 29 mA at 24 Vdc, excluding heating
Contact-only model consumption	No power consumption for the measuring circuit
Heater supply voltage	24 Vdc ±10%
Heater power consumption	110 W for RTD04 heated versions

HEATING AND OPERATING CONDITIONS
Operating temperature (without heating)	0…+70 °C
Operating temperature (with heating)	−25…+70 °C
Heating activation temperature	Approximately +4 °C
Heating control (digital/analog models)	PID control
Heating control (contact-only models)	ON/OFF control
Heating function	Helps prevent snow deposits and ice formation

CONSTRUCTION AND PROTECTION
Housing material	Anodized and painted aluminum alloy
Protection rating	IP65
Collector	Aluminum collector cone
Collector surface	Non-stick treatment
Inlet filter	Removable filter
Dimensions	Ø256 × 457 mm
Weight	Approximately 3 kg

INTEGRATED DIAGNOSTIC SENSORS
Temperature sensor	Integrated temperature monitoring
Relative humidity sensor	Integrated relative humidity monitoring
Atmospheric pressure sensor	Integrated pressure monitoring
Tilt sensor	Instrument inclination monitoring
Diagnostic information	Sensor measurements and diagnostic status available through supported communication functions

INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE
Installation method	Mast mounting
Compatible mast diameter	Ø40…60 mm
Typical installation height	0.5…1.5 m above ground
Leveling	Integrated bubble level
Mounting hardware	Three M6×35 Allen screws
Maintenance	Periodic cleaning of collector inlet filter
Installation location	Open area, away from obstructions and excessive wind turbulence

MODEL CONFIGURATIONS
Product family	RTD series
Model series	RTD04
Collecting area code	04 = 400 cm²
Resolution code 1	0.1 mm/tip
Resolution code 2	0.2 mm/tip
Resolution code 5	0.5 mm/tip
Output code 0	Voltage-free NC contact
Output code F	RS485, SDI-12 and MOSFET Open Drain
Output code D	RS485 and 4…20 mA
Output code V	RS485 and 0…10 V
Heating code 0	Without heating
Heating code R	With heating

Drawing

Downloads

RTD04 Family Datasheet	DownloadRTD04 Family Datasheet
RTD04 Family User Manual	DownloadRTD04 Family User Manual
RTD04 Family CE Declaration of Conformity	DownloadRTD04 Family CE Declaration of Conformity