Lightning Detection Systems

The Stratus Weather Lightning Detection System is a standalone, single-site lightning detector designed and assembled by Inteltronics Instrumentation around the ScioSense Franklin lightning sensor. The sensor detects the radio-frequency emissions from both cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning and estimates the distance to the head of the storm from up to 40 km away down to 1 km, while rejecting false triggers from man-made interference such as motors and microwave ovens. As a storm approaches, the system raises on-site and remote alerts so that outdoor operations, sports, mines and work sites can be cleared in good time. Every detection is logged and presented through a secure online dashboard with reporting, and the station runs on solar and battery power for reliable operation at remote sites. The system reports a relative energy figure for each event, which is a comparative sensor reading for ranking strike intensity and is not a measurement in joules.

The Lightning Strike Sensor counts lightning strikes by detecting electrical fields with a signal strength greater than the factory-set threshold voltage of the sensor. An early warning of impending lightning activity allows sensitive equipment to be isolated from mains power, or time to carry out a controlled shut down of a plant or dangerous operation.