52202-L Electrically Heated Rain and Snow Gage

Name: 52202-L - Electrically Heated Rain and Snow Gage
Brand: Campbell Scientific

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Precipitation Sensors / 52202-L

52202-L Electrically Heated Rain and Snow Gage

Measure Rain, Snow, and Other Frozen Precipitation
Thermostat-controlled gage

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Detailed Description
Compatibility
Specifications
Documents
FAQs
Case Studies

Overview

The 52202, manufactured by R. M. Young, is a thermostat-controlled, electrically heated, tipping bucket rain gage. You can use it to measure rain, snow, and other frozen precipitation. Its catchment area of 200 cm² and measurement resolution of 0.1 mm meet the recommendations of the WMO. This heated rain gage is compatible with most Campbell Scientific dataloggers, and it is used in environmental monitoring applications.

High precision—tips at 0.1-mm increments
Heating element melts snow and ice for year-round measurements
Compatible with many Campbell Scientific data loggers

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Detailed Description

The 52202 funnels precipitation into a bucket mechanism that tips when filled to the calibrated level. Each tip is marked by a magnetic reed switch closure that is recorded by a Campbell Scientific datalogger pulse count channel.

The 52202 has a thermostat-controlled internal heater that melts snow or other frozen precipitation. This heater requires a reliable source of 24 Vac power. A wall transformer is shipped with the 52202 that plugs into a wall socket to provide the required 24 Vac power.

Compatibility

Please note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible products.

Dataloggers

Product	Compatible	Note
CR1000 (retired)
CR1000X (retired)
CR300 (retired)
CR3000 (retired)
CR310
CR350
CR6
CR800 (retired)
CR850 (retired)
CR850 (retired)

Additional Compatibility Information

Mounting

The 52202 is shipped with a mounting pipe. The rain gage clamps onto this pipe, which is then fastened to a crossarm using the CM220 Right-Angle Mounting Kit, or mounted onto the top of a tripod using the CM216 Sensor Mounting Kit.

Wind Screen

Campbell Scientific offers the 260-953 Wind Screen to help minimize the affect of wind on the rain measurements. This wind screen consists of 32 leaves that hang freely and swing as the wind moves past them.

Specifications

Sensor Type	Tipping bucket with magnetic reed switch (normally open)
Measurement Uncertainty	2% for up to 25 mm/h (1 in./h) 3% for up to 50 mm/h (2 in./h)
Rainfall per Tip	0.1 mm (0.004 in.)
Operating Temperature Range	-20° to +50°C (heated)
Humidity Range	0 to 100%
Power	18 W @ 24 Vac (for heater only)
Heater Thermostat Set Point	10°C ±3°C
Contact Rating	24 Vac/dc (400 mA maximum)
Compliance with Standards	2011/65/EU RoHS Directive 2015/863/EU RoHS Phthalates Amendment
Mounting Pipe	30.5 cm (12 in.) length; 1 inch IPS, aluminum, unthreaded
Catchment Area	200 cm² (31 in.²)
Orifice Diameter	16 cm (6.3 in.)
Diameter	18.5 cm (7.3 in.)
Height	30 cm (11.8 in.)
Power Plug Weight	0.43 kg (0.95 lb)
Weight	1.16 kg (2.55 lb)

Documents

Brochures

52202 Electrically Heated Rain and Snow Gage

Manuals

Frequently Asked Questions

Number of FAQs related to 52202-L: 10

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What type of output does the 52202-L have?

The 52202-L uses a reed switch to generate a pulse for each tip of the collector.
If a data logger is not registering any tips from a 52202-L, what can be done?

Follow the steps listed in the “Troubleshooting” section of the 52202-L Instruction Manual.
Is it possible to heat a 52202-L with 24 Vdc rather than ac?

No. The relay that controls power to the heater uses ac power only.
Is the CS700-L, CS700H-L, or 52202-L connected to a control input or a pulse channel?
These rain gages can be connected to either.
- When a control port is used, one lead goes to the 5 V port to provide current, and the other lead goes to a control port to detect the current.
- When a pulse channel is used, one lead goes to the pulse port, and the other lead terminates on a ground terminal.
What are the indicators that a tipping bucket rain gage has a faulty reed switch?

Not registering any tips, missing tips, or double tips.
What can cause a data logger to not receive correct tipping data?
If data is not being logged correctly, there are two likely causes:
- The reed switch has failed.
- There is a faulty connection from the rain gage to the data logger, typically caused by a broken conductor or corroded wiring.
What are the indicators that a tipping bucket rain gage is out of calibration?

Not enough tips or too many tips.
What type of wind screen can be used for a tipping bucket rain gage?

The 260-953 Alter-type rain gage wind screen consists of 32 heavy metal leaves that hang freely and swing as the wind moves past them. The swinging leaves act as a wind damper and help minimize the effect of wind on the rain measurements without adding additional turbulence.
What are the most common errors with a tipping bucket rain gage?

The most common errors are either that the rain gage appears to have drifted out of calibration or that the tips are not being correctly recorded by the data logger.
What can cause a tipping bucket rain gage to be out of calibration?

When a rain gage is out of calibration, it is usually because of the buildup of dirt and grime on the internal surfaces of the tipping bucket mechanism. Cleaning the internal surfaces usually brings the rain gage back into calibration. It is also possible that a rain gage is out of calibration because it is no longer level.

To minimize the possible occurrence of calibration errors, perform routine cleaning and maintenance of the rain gage at least once every three months. The environmental conditions at a particular site may require a facility to perform cleaning, leveling, and maintenance on a much more frequent schedule.

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