The BTD-200 Lighting Warning System
The lightning warning system is a modular system and is designed to operate out-of-the-box. It is also expandable as requirements grow or change. The essential system comprises of a lightning detector which is placed outside, whilst a PC located indoors runs the supplied Lightning Works server software (LW). User views the lightning distance in real-time on a map of the local area whilst displaying the urgent lightning alarm level. The BTD-200 can be connected directly to an appropriately sized warning sounder if required.
Lightning Detection and Warning Systems
The only reliable and consistent way of issuing a lightning warning is with a dedicated lightning detection system. About 90% of thunderstorms are already producing lightning by the time they are within 12 miles (20 km), so a professional, real-time lightning warning system must provide adequate notice of an approaching storm.
Overhead Lightning – the most dangerous!
However, in the remaining 10% of thunderstorms, the first flash will occur nearby or overhead, which is the most dangerous. Therefore, it is important not to rely on products which only detect lightning. These cannot provide any advanced warning of the threat of overhead lightning and therefore its danger!
The ideal warning system…
The ideal thunderstorm detecting system will give adequate warning before the storm moves overhead and will also warn of the threat posed by the potential for overhead lighting before it has begun. In both cases, this advanced notice allows managers and operators of at-risk sites to alert staff, visitors, or players to the threat.
The thunderstorm detector should be able to alert for both distant lightning and the presence of a strong electric field at your location. This strong electric field is indicative of a lightning developing overhead – so potentially a very serious situation and one to take immediate action over.
BTD-200 offers all these advantages
The innovative BTD-200 lightning warning system is able to do both.
- detect distant lightning up to 22 miles (35km) away
- warn of overhead strong electric field, even when there is no lightning being produced.
The Lightning Works software will then alert the staff and managers to these threats, in real time, allowing them to review and manage the situation and to warn the members, the public and their own staff to the potential danger. It can also activate warning sounders automatically if required.
The BTD-200 is the next generation of lightning detection and warning system. It has been developed from proven professional technology currently used world-wide at airports and by national meteorological organisations.
