Lightning Warning System

The LPI Lightning Warning System MKIII provides the user with the ability to manage the lightning risk and to fulfill a duty of care to employees, customers and all related personnel. As occupational health and safety laws strengthen globally, senior management across a wide variety of industries and recreational pursuits are now faced with a realization that they have a duty to warn individuals of the pending risks associated from lightning. Recent court cases have shown a dramatic change from the once acceptable “Act of God” defense, to a realization that management now has a duty to warn.

LWS Functionality:

• LWS Console

The LWS console is the interface which communicates to the sensors installed in the field and allows the user to access information about the current lightning event status (near, far or all clear) and the current electrostatic field level (high or low electric-field.

• LWS Sensor Assembly

The LWS sensor assembly (microprocessor, sensing antenna, alarm/warning/all clear indicator and earth rod) is the integral component of the LWS system, it provides all decision making in regards to recorded lightning events and subsequent alerts.

• Event Indication Levels

As the LWS sensor detects lightning activity or increases in the electric field, event indications are made at the sensor and are communicated to the console for processing. If the event falls within a predetermined level, the following indications are provided to the user.

• Warning Indication

A warning indication occurs when either a far lightning strike or a low electric field is detected. Far lightning strikes are defined as lightning events that occur within a radius of approximately 10 to 25 km of the sensor. Low electric-field events are defined as being when the local electric field rises above a level of 3 kV/m. A warning status provides the user with an indication that a storm is within a relatively close range and may move towards the area where the sensors are stationed.

• Alarm Indication

An alarm indication occurs when a near lightning strike or high electric field is detected.