BTD-300 Thunderstorm Detector

The BTD-300 Thunderstorm Detector is a standalone sensor that reliably detects the presence of all forms of lightning to a range of 83km.
BTD-300
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Overview

BTD-300 Thunderstorm Detector

Biral’s BTD-300 Thunderstorm Detector is a standalone sensor that reliably detects the presence of all forms of lightning to a range of 83km. The unique quasi electrostatic operating principle gives the detector a very low false alarm rate and the ability to warn of the risk of overhead lightning.

The ability to reliably detect and range cloud-to-cloud lightning, which is typically much more common than cloud-to-ground strikes, makes the BTD-300 much more sensitive to the presence of storms compared to devices that rely on radio detection. An electrostatic operating principle allows the sensor to warn of the risk of overhead lightning before the first discharge occurs.

Virtually maintenance free in operation, the BTD-300 can either interface directly to an integrated system or be operated using the supplied PC compatible display and logging software. There is an optional warning relay module allows the sensor to automatically sound alarms whenever a storm approaches.

  • Warns of overhead lightning risk even before the first lightning discharge
  • Highly immune to radio interference which is the major cause of false alarms in traditional standalone detectors
  • 83km (45 nm) detection range exceeds the US FAA requirements
  • Detects cloud-to-cloud as well as weaker but more common cloud-to-ground lightning
  • Observes charged precipitation
  • Meets FAA performance requirements for aerodrome use
  • Meets EN50536:2011+A1:2012 requirements for a Class 1 detector
  • Meets IEC 62793 performance requirements for a Class A detector
  • Optional direction finder

Learn more about our BTD-300 on YouTube

Technical Description

The BTD-300

The Biral Thunderstorm Detector BTD-300 is a standalone sensor providing real-time detection and ranging of thunderstorm activity within 45 nautical miles (83km). The sensor bases thunderstorm warnings on the detection and range of lightning flashes throughout the detection area, as well as the presence of strong electric fields and electrically charged precipitation occurring at the installation site. The strong electric fields and charged precipitation provide the ability to warn of the potential for nearby lightning activity before the occurrence of the first flash, with the subsequent flashes used for thunderstorm intensity and proximity monitoring.

Lightning flashes of all types (cloud-to-ground, cloud-to-cloud and intra-cloud) and polarities are detected, ranged and logged within 2 seconds of their initiation. Electric field disturbances associated with potential overhead thunderstorm development produce an alert after 5 seconds of monitoring. Such sensitivity and rapid alerts allow the greatest warning time of local thunderstorm development for the user, with the unique monitoring techniques providing an extremely low false alarm rate.

The operating principle of the BTD-300 is based upon sensing changes in the atmospheric electric field in the frequency band of 1-47 Hz. Such low frequency means that the sensor is most sensitive to slow-varying electrostatic fields associated with charge transfer from lightning flashes, nearby corona (point) discharge and the turbulent movement of strongly-charged aerosol associated with thunderstorm activity. In addition, charge transferred to the antennas by precipitation is analysed and used to determine whether the overhead cloud has the potential for thunderstorm activity. Radio emissions (both natural and man-made) are associated with considerably higher frequencies so do not produce interference on the sensor. Noise associated with mains power distribution (typically 50 or 60 Hz and harmonics) are removed by both analogue and digital filtering.

The range information supplied by the basic sensor can be supplemented with a bearing or direction if the optional Direction Finder module is used. The direction Finder module detects electromagnetic waves produced by lightning discharges in a band from approximately 3kHZ to 1MHz. The direction from sensor to discharge is reported to the nearest degree in the BTD-300 data output.

The BTD-300 can be configured for either Ethernet or RS422 serial communication. The data is output as an ASCII coded data string for easy integration with other data processing systems. For standalone use a comprehensive PC compatible software application is supplied which provides data visualisation, sensor control and data logging.

A relay output module is available to allow the direct switching of warning devices such as sounders and beacons. Three relays are provided to cover the warning and alert status of the sensor.

techspecs

Specifications

Detects
Cloud-to-cloud, cloud-to-ground and intra-cloud lightning discharges
Output
Ethernet or Serial data (RS422)
Range
83 km (51 statute miles)
Detection efficiency
95% for single lightning flash (any type)
99% for storm with 2 flashes
99.9% for storm with 3 flashes
For flashes within 56 km
False alarm rate
<2%
Range Measurement
0 to 20 km ± 5 km
Error
20 to 83km ± 10 km
Maximum flash rate
120 per minute
Time of flash
Nearest 10ms (internal clock)
Measurement principle
Passive, quasi-electrostatic. No moving parts
Direction (optional)
Reported to nearest degree
Sensor Power
110 to 240 Vac 50-60Hz Universal
Operating Temperature
-40°C to 60°C
Operating Humidity
5% – 100% RH
Protection rating
IP66
Weight (Sensor Head)
25kg
Certification & Compliance
CE Certified
EMC compliance with EN61326-1997, 1998, 2001
Compliance with EN50536:2011+A1:2012 for a Class 1 detector
Performs in accordance with IEC 62793 for a Class A detector
RoHS and WEEE compliant

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Sales & Support

Contact Biral for more information

To find out more about this instrument or to discuss your application requirements please do not hesitate to contact Biral.

After Sales Support

Biral offers free advice and technical support for the lifetime of the instruments we sell. Once you have purchased the unit you can always contact us for help using the links on our Service Support page.

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