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Senseca

BTD-1 Thunderstorm Warning System

Standalone thunderstorm warning system with lightning detection.

Detects cloud-to-ground, intra-cloud and cloud-to-cloud lightning up to 35 km as standard, extendable to 83 km
Early warning of overhead thunderstorms, with Severe Storm feature for cells at risk of large hailstones
RS-422, 3 internal relays and optional Ethernet with PoE, IP66 design with no moving parts

Quantity

Overview

The Senseca BTD-1 is a standalone thunderstorm warning system that detects the presence and range of lightning flashes by monitoring the background quasi-electrostatic field. Beyond lightning detection, it gives early warning of overhead thunderstorm conditions before the first nearby strike, and its Severe Storm feature identifies storm cells most likely to generate damaging events such as large hailstones. Low-frequency analysis delivers high detection efficiency, including intra-cloud flashes, with minimal man-made interference, over a range of 35 km as standard, extendable to 83 km. Integrated GPS/GNSS provides accurate flash timing, and four configurable risk levels (All-Clear, Caution, Warning and Alert) adapt the system to site-specific requirements. With a plug-and-play architecture, M12 connectors, an RS-422 interface, three internal relays and optional Ethernet with PoE, it suits both standalone deployment and complete warning systems, in a robust IP66 design with no moving parts.

Typical applications

Renewable energy sites
Airports
Industrial plants
Marine and harbour facilities
Outdoor sports venues
Construction sites

Key Features

Detects cloud-to-ground, intra-cloud and cloud-to-cloud lightning, plus charged precipitation, strong electric fields and severe storm conditions
Measuring range 35 km as standard, 83 km as option
Four configurable risk levels: All-Clear, Caution, Warning and Alert
Integrated GPS/GNSS for accurate flash timing and UTC-based time reference
Optional Direction Finder adds lightning bearing
RS-422 broadcast output every 2 seconds, three internal relays (30 VDC / 18 VAC, 5 A), optional Ethernet with PoE
Optional Flash Signal Generator to verify sensor operation remotely
Lightning Eye software for monitoring, diagnostics, configuration and data logging
M12 stainless steel connectors, preassembled leads and modular accessories
IP66 construction with no moving parts

Benefits

Advance warning: early warning of overhead thunderstorm conditions before the first nearby lightning strike
Severe Storm feature: highlights storm cells with increased risk of large hailstones
Best-in-class detection efficiency: detects more storm activity earlier, with a very low false alarm rate and reduced man-made interference
Up to 83 km range: 35 km standard range, extendable up to 83 km
GPS/GNSS timing: highly accurate flash timing and UTC-based time reference
Plug-and-play modularity: easy installation with optional accessories and integration modules

Specifications

MEASUREMENT SPECIFICATIONS
Lightning detection	Triggered by cloud-to-ground, intra-cloud and cloud-to-cloud lightning
Lightning events detected	Charged Precipitation (Prewarning) Strong Electric Field (Prewarning) Severe Storm
Measuring range	35 km (default) / 83 km (option)
Range resolution	1 m
Range accuracy	For flashes within 20 km: ±5 km For flashes within 83 km: ±10 km
Detection efficiency	For flashes within 35 km: 97% for a single lightning flash; 99.9% for a storm with 2 lightning flashes For flashes within 56 km: 95% for a single lightning flash; 99% for a storm with 2 lightning flashes; 99.9% for a storm with 3 lightning flashes
False alarm rate	For flashes within 35 km: < 1% For flashes within 83 km: < 2%
Maximum flash rate	120 flashes per minute
Flash latency	2 seconds

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Output	RS-422, relays, Ethernet (optional)
Power supply	9…36 Vdc
Power consumption	2 W typical; up to 50 W with extreme heater module Additional power for options: Direction Finder 2 W, Radio Module 1 W
Connection	M12 connectors (stainless steel): Power: M12 5-way A-coded (male) Data (RS-422): M12 8-way A-coded (male) Direction Finder: M12 8-way A-coded (female) M16 gland for relays or custom wiring
RS-422 settings	57600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit; broadcast message every 2 seconds
Relays	3 internal relays (default: Relay 1 Alert, Relay 2 Warning, Relay 3 Sensor fault), user reconfigurable Maximum rating: 30 VDC or 18 VAC rms, 5 A

ENVIRONMENTAL
Operating temperature	-40…+60 °C
Relative humidity	0…100% RH
Maximum altitude	5000 m
Protection rating	IP66

PHYSICAL
Material	Housing: aluminium Sphere antenna: stainless steel Insulators: PTFE/acrylic
Weight	4.3 kg approx.
Dimensions	Ø 200 mm sphere, 638 mm height (see drawing)

RELATED STANDARDS
Standards	EN50536:2011+A1:2012, Class 1 Detector IEC 62793, Class A Detector EN61326-1:2021, Industrial Limits

LIGHTNING EYE SOFTWARE
Functions	Multi-user capability, remote connectivity, map overlay, system status overview, sensor diagnostics, system configuration, automatic data logging, export of logged data

ORDERING CODES	BTD-1. [Version] . [Range] . [Communication] . [FSG] . [Heating] Example: BTD-1.SA.35.S.000.EH
Version	SA = stand-alone version OM = OEM version
Range	35 = 35 km 83 = 83 km
Communication	S = RS-422 communication E = Ethernet
Flash Signal Generator option	000 = not fitted FSG = fitted
Extreme heating option	00 = without heating option EH = with extreme heating option
Accessories	Direction Finder, Radio Modules, Field Mounting Kit, Solar Kit, Configuration Kit, Cabling
Supplied with	Stand-alone version: configuration kit, power supply, cables, converter and software licence. OEM version: field-wireable signal and power connectors. PoE and FSG modules can be factory-fitted or retrofitted; other accessories must be ordered separately.

Drawing

Downloads

BTD-1 Family Datasheet (EN)	DownloadBTD-1 Family Datasheet (EN)
BTD-1 Family User Manual (EN)	DownloadBTD-1 Family User Manual (EN)
Lightning Eye Software User Manual (EN)	DownloadLightning Eye Software User Manual (EN)
BTD-1 Direction Finder User Manual (EN)	DownloadBTD-1 Direction Finder User Manual (EN)
BTD-1 Solar Kit User Manual (EN)	DownloadBTD-1 Solar Kit User Manual (EN)
BTD-1 Radio Modules User Manual (EN)	DownloadBTD-1 Radio Modules User Manual (EN)
BTD-1 Flash Signal Generator Installation Instructions (EN)	DownloadBTD-1 Flash Signal Generator Installation Instructions (EN)
BTD-1 PoE Module Installation Instructions (EN)	DownloadBTD-1 PoE Module Installation Instructions (EN)
BTD-1 Connectivity Kit Quickstart Guide (EN)	DownloadBTD-1 Connectivity Kit Quickstart Guide (EN)
BTD-1 Serial Communication Interface Instructions (EN)	DownloadBTD-1 Serial Communication Interface Instructions (EN)