Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
or with email
Your Cart
Subtotal₹0
Total₹0
Examoogle • User • info@examoogle.com • EE-2024-8821
Chapter 1 of 12 • Page 1 of 248🔒 Protected PDF • Watermarked
Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
How many types of rain gauges are there?
2
3
4
5
2
Rain gauges are primarily classified into two categories based on their data recording mechanism: non-recording gauges and recording gauges. Non-recording gauges measure the total accumulated rainfall over a specific period (e.g., 24 hours), while recording gauges provide a continuous time-distributed record of rainfall intensity.
Rain gauges are primarily classified into two categories based on their data recording mechanism: non-recording gauges and recording gauges. Non-recording gauges measure the total accumulated rainfall over a specific period (e.g., 24 hours), while recording gauges provide a continuous time-distributed record of rainfall intensity.
I=ΔtΔP — where I is rainfall intensity, ΔP is depth change, and Δt is time interval.
Non-recording gauges (like the Symons gauge) store precipitation in a receiver to be measured manually at a set time. Recording gauges (such as Tipping Bucket or Weighing Type) employ mechanical or electronic sensors to trace the rainfall intensity on a moving chart or digital data logger, allowing for the determination of the intensity at any instant during the storm.
Non-recording gauges provide only the total quantity of rainfall.
Recording gauges are essential for plotting mass curves of rainfall and determining intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) relationships.
The standard rain gauge used in India is the Symons gauge.
Tipping bucket gauges are commonly used in automated meteorological stations.
Non-recording gauges: Simple construction, low cost, easy maintenance.
Recording gauges: Ability to determine peak rainfall intensity, no manual observation required at fixed hours.
Non-recording gauges: Cannot provide intensity-duration data.
Recording gauges: Higher cost, periodic calibration required, complex mechanical parts prone to failure.
Hydrological modeling and flood forecasting.
Design of drainage systems and hydraulic structures.
Climatological studies and irrigation scheduling.
| Feature | Non-Recording | Recording |
|---|---|---|
Output Format | Manual observation of total depth | Automatic time-series plot |
A standard Symons rain gauge has a collection area with a diameter of 127 mm.
Recording rain gauges are also called self-recording or integrating gauges.
Options B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the binary classification of gauge types based on recording capability.
A is correct — There are two main types of rain gauges: non-recording and recording gauges.
Always remember that while there are sub-types of recording gauges (Tipping bucket, Weighing bucket, Float type), they all fall under the 'Recording' category in the primary classification.