BTD-200 Lightning Warning System thumbnail 1

Senseca

BTD-200 Lightning Warning System

Self-contained lightning warning system for outdoor storm detection.

Detects cloud-to-cloud, cloud-to-ground and intra-cloud lightning up to 35 km with 1 km range resolution
Warns of overhead lightning risk even before the first strike, by detecting charged precipitation and strong electric fields
RS422 connection, 3 volt-free relays and Lightning Works software, in an IP66 housing

Quantity

Overview

The Senseca BTD-200 is a self-contained lightning warning system developed from Senseca's professional aviation-grade lightning detection technology. Using a quasi-electrostatic principle, the sensor measures the low-frequency disturbances in the atmospheric electric field caused by lightning and filters out the higher-frequency radio noise that causes false alarms in traditional radio-based detectors. It detects cloud-to-cloud, cloud-to-ground and intra-cloud lightning out to 35 km with 1 km range resolution and a false alarm rate below 2%, and warns of dangerous overhead lightning risk even before the first strike occurs. Supplied as a complete out-of-the-box solution with universal power supply and Lightning Works server software, the BTD-200 is quick to install and provides automatic monitoring, warning and data logging, with three volt-free relays for direct alarm outputs and an IP66 housing for demanding outdoor environments.

Typical applications

Sporting events
Outdoor pursuits
Industrial sites
Meteorological applications

Key Features

Quasi-electrostatic detection derived from professional aviation systems
Detects cloud-to-cloud, cloud-to-ground and intra-cloud lightning up to 35 km, with 1 km range resolution
Detects charged precipitation and strong atmospheric electric fields for advance warning of overhead lightning
Configurable Overhead, Vicinity and Distant range bands
Three volt-free relays for alert state, warning state and self-test
Wired RS422 serial connection to a user computer via the supplied serial communications interface
Advanced automatic self-test to ensure system operation
Lightning Works server software for monitoring, warning, data logging and CSV export
Stainless steel and epoxy powder coated aluminium housing, IP66

Benefits

Earlier risk warning: detects charged precipitation and strong electric fields before the first lightning strike
35 km detection: detects lightning up to 35 km with 1 km range resolution for storm tracking
Low false alarms: advanced processing gives a false alarm rate below 2%
Direct alarm output: three volt-free relays provide alert, warning and self-test states
Outdoor ready: IP66 housing operates from -20 °C to +50 °C and 0–100% RH
Standards aligned: complies with EN50536 Class 1 and performs to IEC 62793 Class A

Specifications

MEASUREMENT SPECIFICATIONS
Detects	Cloud-to-cloud, cloud-to-ground and intra-cloud lightning discharges
Thunderstorm activity for advanced warning of lightning	Charged precipitation and strong electric field
Detection efficiency	For flashes within 35 km: 95% for a single lightning flash 99% for storm with 2 lightning flashes 99.9% for storm with 3 lightning flashes
Range	35 km (22 miles)
Range resolution	1 km
False alarm rate	< 2%
Maximum flash rate	120 per minute
Maximum update rate	2 seconds

CONFIGURATION PARAMETERS
Overhead range band	Default 8 km; range 1 to 33 km (1 to 20 miles)
Vicinity range band	Default 16 km; range 2 to 34 km (2 to 21 miles)
Distant range band	Default 35 km; range 3 to 35 km (3 to 22 miles)
Vicinity flashes per warning	Default 1; range 1 to 3
Distant flashes per warning	Default 2; range 1 to 4 and never warn
Warning delay period	Default 15 mins; range 10 to 30 mins

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
User computer output	Wired serial connection (RS422)
Relays	3 relays with volt-free contacts: Alert state Warning state Self-test All relays 16 VAC / 35 VDC, 5 A
Connection method	Screw terminals
Supply voltage	9 to 30 Vdc, universal mains power adaptor included
Power consumption	Less than 5 W

ENVIRONMENTAL
Operating temperature	-20 °C to +50 °C
Relative humidity	0 – 100% RH
Protection rating	IP66
Wind speed	60 m/s
Shock and vibration	Land based fixed installation

PHYSICAL
Material	Stainless steel and epoxy powder coated aluminium
Weight	4.3 kg (9.5 lbs) sensor only
Height	675 mm (26.6")
Diameter	200 mm (7.9")

CERTIFICATION & COMPLIANCE
Certification	CE certified EMC compliance with EN61326-1:2013 industrial immunity, domestic emissions 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

LIGHTNING WORKS SOFTWARE
Functions	Multi-user capability, maximum of 5 simultaneous users Map overlay showing lightning distance bands Warning state icons Sensor health status display System configuration window Warning state cancellation buttons Automatic data logging Export of logged data in CSV format

ORDERING CODES
BTD200	Lightning warning system
BA.005 / 06 / 07	Power cable, available in 20, 50 or 100 m
BA.009 / 10 / 11	Data cable, available in 20, 50 or 100 m
BA.017	Mounting pole, flange base
BA.020 / 21 / 22	Earthing kit, available in 2, 5 or 10 m
BA.023	Wall mounting bracket
BA.024	Direction Finder
BA.026	Lightning Works Messenger Program
BA.027	Field Test Unit
BA.000	Serial Communications Interface Unit
Supplied with	Universal power adaptor (90/264 Vac to 24 Vdc), optically isolated serial RS422 to USB adaptor, control and display software on USB drive, user manual

Drawing

Downloads

BTD-200 Family Datasheet (EN)	DownloadBTD-200 Family Datasheet (EN)
BTD-200 Direction Finder User Manual (EN)	DownloadBTD-200 Direction Finder User Manual (EN)
BTD-200 Family User Manual (EN)	DownloadBTD-200 Family User Manual (EN)
BTD-200 Lightning Works Remote Connections User Manual (EN)	DownloadBTD-200 Lightning Works Remote Connections User Manual (EN)
FTU-200 Field Test Unit User Manual (EN)	DownloadFTU-200 Field Test Unit User Manual (EN)