Meteorological equipment specialists Biral has recently announced the launch of its new BTD-200 self-contained, standalone lightning warning system.
Whilst providing a sensitive method of detection there are many other sources of these radio waves such as arcs from electrical equipment, vehicle ignition systems and fixed or mobile transmitters. All of which can result in high false alarm rates for these systems. Due to these limitations, most standalone lightning detectors employ secondary measurements such as optical flash detection in an attempt to reduce false alarms and employ complex signal analysis to estimate range. These techniques are only partially effective, giving these older technology lightning detectors a poor reputation due to their high false alarm rate, poor distance accuracy and short working lifetimes.
In many applications, the lightning warning system is used to help protect people and equipment from the dangers of a lightning strike by providing advanced warning of a storm’s approach. This is all the more important in areas where large numbers of people are outside across a wide area (e.g. a golf course). Detectors which rely on lightning detection alone are only effective if the storm is already producing lightning at some distance before moving closer towards the detector. If the first lightning strike of the storm is overhead, then these types of systems give no advanced warning and therefore no protection.
The advanced detection principle of the BTD-200 enables it to monitor the strength of the local electric field and the presence of charged precipitation, both of which are strong indicators of lightning risk. This allows the BTD-200 to provide warnings of the risk of an overhead strike even before any lightning has been produced. This advanced warning can be up to 20 minutes before the lightning begins, giving more than enough time to alert the public to the risks of remaining outdoors.
The BTD-200 lightning warning system is a modular system which is designed to operate out-of-the-box, but is also expandable as requirements grow or change. The essential system comprises a lightning detector which is placed outside, either on its tripod mount or permanently installed, whilst a PC located indoors runs the supplied Lightning Works software. The system includes a power supply and (optionally) the cabling to connect to the power and the host PC.
Further information is available from Biral on +44 1275 847787, email: info@lightningearlywarning.com or by visiting the company’s website at www.lightningearlywarning.com
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Biral is supported by Vantage PR
9 October 2018
For further editorial information contact Nathan Neal of Biral on +44 1275 847787, email: info@lightningearlywarning.com or Julia Fitzgerald of Vantage PR on +44 1600 71525 or email pr@vantage.uk.com.
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Issued on behalf of Biral, Unit 8, Harbour Road Trading Estate, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 7BL www.lightningearlywarning.com by Vantage Public Relations, 14 White Swan Court, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 3NY, www.vantage.uk.com
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Established in 1975 Biral is a leading manufacturer of meteorological instruments and supplies the international market with one of the largest ranges of products available. Its scope extends from sensors to measure wind, temperature, precipitation, visibility, solar radiation and other standard parameters to present weather sensors and complete weather stations. The company’s products can be used across a diverse number of applications in the aviation, oil and gas, marine and wind energy markets as well as for roads and highways. Biral is also a specialist in the design, manufacture and supply of particle analysis and climate research instruments for science, industry and the environment.
CAPTION FOR IMAGE:
Biral’s BTD-200 lightning warning system gives advanced warning of overhead lightning risk using its professional-grade detection system which is designed for leisure, sports and outdoor pursuits. This includes golf courses, team sports, university and school sports facilities, sports stadiums, outdoor leisure, theme parks and concert venues.