BTD-1 Thunderstorm Detector Warns Before Lightning Strikes
Outdoor operations at airports, construction sites, ports, and energy facilities often have no warning until lightning has already struck. The BTD-1 is a compact thunderstorm detection instrument that monitors variations in the quasi-electrostatic field to identify developing electrical storm conditions—including cloud-to-ground, intracloud, and cloud-to-cloud lightning—before a strike occurs.
Detection works by tracking changes in the local electric field associated with overhead storm development, charged precipitation, and strong electric fields. This allows the BTD-1 to combine active lightning detection with pre-warning capability. A Severe Storm function identifies highly active storm cells associated with damaging conditions such as large hail or strong downdrafts, providing additional decision support for weather-related risk management.
Standard detection range is up to 22 mi (35 km), extendable to 52 mi (83 km). The system supports four configurable risk levels and delivers fast event updates. Communication options include RS422 and internal relays. GPS/GNSS timing is included. Monitoring, diagnostics, and data logging are handled through the Lightning Eye software platform.
The BTD-1 is built for fixed outdoor installation with IP66 protection and no moving parts. Its modular, plug-and-play architecture supports deployment as a standalone unit or as part of a broader storm warning network.
Applications
- Pre-strike thunderstorm warning
- Lightning event detection & logging
- Severe storm cell identification
- Weather-related operational risk management
Industries
- Aviation
- Energy
- Industrial Facilities
- Ports & Maritime
- Construction
Who It's For
- Operations requiring warning before lightning strikes
- Fixed outdoor installations in weather-exposed environments
- Sites needing integration with existing warning or control systems
- Facilities managing storm-related safety protocols
Features:
- Standard detection range: up to 21.7 mi (35 km); extendable to 51.6 mi (83 km)
- Detects cloud-to-ground, intracloud, and cloud-to-cloud lightning
- Monitors quasi-electrostatic field variations for pre-strike warning
- Recognizes charged precipitation and strong electric fields
- Severe Storm function flags high-activity cells associated with hail or downdrafts
- Four configurable risk levels
- Fast event update rate
- RS422 communication support
- Internal relays included
- GPS/GNSS timing
- Lightning Eye software platform for monitoring, diagnostics, and data logging
- IP66 weather protection
- No moving parts; low maintenance
- Modular, plug-and-play architecture
- Deployable standalone or as part of a storm warning network
Senseca UK Ltd. (formerly Biral)
Bristol, UK
+44 (0)1275 847787
[email protected]
senseca.com