Biral BTD-300 Manual de usuario

BTD-300

BTD-350

Biral Thunderstorm Detector

USER MANUAL

[INTENTIONALLY BLANK]

User Manual for BTD

BTD-300 BTD-350

This manual describes the installation and operation of the Biral Thunderstorm Detector

models: BTD-300 and BTD-350.

Where instructions apply to either, the Detector will be referred to as ‘BTD’.

User Manual for BTD

Produced by:

Bristol Industrial and Research Associated Limited (BIRAL),

P. O. Box 2, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 7JB, UK.

Tel: +44 (0) 1275 847787

Email: [email protected]

Webpage: http://www.biral.com

This manual should be read fully before the instrument is used.

If there are any questions about the equipment supplied or the instructions contained

within this manual please consult Biral at the above address.

To assist Biral in the event of questions could you please indicate the equipment type

(and serial number if applicable), nature of your question, approximate number of hours

in use and your return contact details.

The information contained within this manual (including all illustrations, drawings,

schematics and parts list) is proprietary to Biral. It is provided for the sole purpose of

aiding the buyer or user in the operation and maintenance of the instrument. This

information is not to be used for the manufacture or sales support of similar items without

the express written permission of Biral, nor is it to be communicated to any third party

without the express written permission of Biral. In the event that written permission is

provided by Biral to disseminate any of the information contained within this document

(in whatever form), this page (including this copyright declaration) must be attached.

This manual does not create nor include any legally binding obligation for Biral or its

customers and end users. This documentation (and any attached appendices) is for

customer information only.

All information contained in this manual is correct (to the best knowledge of Biral) at the

time of publication. Biral reserves the right to revise this manual without notification.

The Equipment is UKCA and CE marked and as such is deemed safe for use

under normal operating conditions. Failure to comply with these conditions

may result in personal injury not covered by the

UKCA or CE classification.

Manual Number: 106543

Revision: 04E

User Manual for BTD 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
1SAFETY............................................................................................................................1
2PRODUCT DESCRIPTION ...........................................................................................2
3INSTALLATION .............................................................................................................4
1 Site Selection.............................................................................................................................................. 5 
2 Tools Required for Assembly................................................................................................................... 9 
3 Package Contents...................................................................................................................................... 9 
4 Corona Spikes.......................................................................................................................................... 10 
5 Direction Finder angle offset.................................................................................................................. 10 
6 Power and Data Cables........................................................................................................................... 11 
7RS422 Connection Options..................................................................................................................... 15 
8 Relay Connections................................................................................................................................... 16 
9 Electrical Grounding .............................................................................................................................. 17 
10 Installation Completion.......................................................................................................................... 18 
11 Initial System Calibration ...................................................................................................................... 18 
12 Relay Option............................................................................................................................................ 18 
4DATA OUTPUT .............................................................................................................20 
1 General..................................................................................................................................................... 20 
2 Data Interpretation................................................................................................................................. 20 
3 Data Message........................................................................................................................................... 20 
4 Local Calibration Values........................................................................................................................ 23 
5 Site Characterisation Message............................................................................................................... 23 
6 Self-Test Message.................................................................................................................................... 24 
7 Sensitivity Level Message ....................................................................................................................... 25 
8 Distance Limit Message.......................................................................................................................... 26 
9 Relay Parameters Message..................................................................................................................... 26 
10 Real Time Clock Message....................................................................................................................... 26 
11 Hysteresis Time Message........................................................................................................................ 27 
12 Distant Warning Message....................................................................................................................... 27 
5CALIBRATION .............................................................................................................28 
1 Site Characterisation .............................................................................................................................. 28 
2 Flash Detection and Ranging ................................................................................................................. 28 
3 Lightning Range Calibration ................................................................................................................. 29 
4Overhead Thunderstorm Development Sensitivity.............................................................................. 29 
6MAINTENANCE...........................................................................................................30 
7COMMAND LINE INTERFACE ................................................................................32 
1 DISTDEF –Set Distance Defaults ......................................................................................................... 32 
2 DIST? –Get Distance Limits.................................................................................................................. 32 
3 DISTx,yyyy –Set Distance Limits ......................................................................................................... 32 
4 DFENABLE? –Get Direction Finder Enable State............................................................................. 32 
5 DFSTAT? –Get Direction Finder Status.............................................................................................. 33 
6 DF-OFFSET? –Get Direction Finder Angle Correction Factor offset.............................................. 33 
7 DF-OFFSETxxxx –Set Direction Finder Angle Correction Factor offset......................................... 33 
8 DF-PV? –Get Direction Finder Program Version............................................................................... 33 
9 DOSITE –Start Site Characterisation Process.................................................................................... 33 
10 HYST? –Get Hysteresis Times.............................................................................................................. 33 
11 HYSTxxxxx –Set Hysteresis Times....................................................................................................... 33 
12 LEVEL? –Get Sensitivity Levels .......................................................................................................... 34 
13 LEVELAA,BB,CC,DD,EE,FF –Set Sensitivity Levels........................................................................ 34 
14 LOCAL? –Get Local Calibration Values............................................................................................. 34 
15 PV? –Get Program Version................................................................................................................... 34 
16 R? –Self Test Message............................................................................................................................ 34 
17 RELAY? –Get Relay Information........................................................................................................ 35 

User Manual for BTD 
 
 
 
7.18 RHOxxx –Relay On Hysteresis Time ................................................................................................... 35 
7.19 RINOxxxx –Relay Inactive Start Time ................................................................................................ 35 
7.20 RINXxxx –Relay Inactive Stop Time ................................................................................................... 35 
7.21 RST –Reset Command........................................................................................................................... 35 
7.22 RTC? –Get Date and Time.................................................................................................................... 35 
7.23 RTCDATEW,DD,MM,YY –Set Real Time Clock Date...................................................................... 35 
7.24 RTCTIMEHH,MM,SS –Set Real Time Clock Time........................................................................... 36 
7.25 RUN –Start normal sampling ............................................................................................................... 36 
7.26 SCF? –Query Site Correction Factor................................................................................................... 36 
7.27 SCFxx.xxx –Set Site Correction Factor................................................................................................ 36 
7.28 SN? –Query Serial Number................................................................................................................... 37 
7.29 SITE? –Get Site Characteristics........................................................................................................... 37 
7.30 STOP –Stop Sampling ........................................................................................................................... 37 
7.31 W? –Get Distant Flash Warning Parameters...................................................................................... 37 
7.32 Wx,yyyy? –Set Distant Flash Warning Params .................................................................................. 37 
8SPECIFICATIONS........................................................................................................38 
8.1 Specification for the Basic BTD Instrument......................................................................................... 38 
8.2 Dimensions of the BTD-300 and BTD-350............................................................................................ 40 
8.3 Specification for the Optional Relay Contacts...................................................................................... 41 
9APPENDIX.....................................................................................................................42 
9.1 Lightning Flash Detection and Ranging................................................................................................ 42 
9.2 Charged Precipitation and Overhead Thunderstorm Development .................................................. 42 
9.3 Use of the Corona Initiator Spikes (BTD-300 only)............................................................................. 43 
9.4 BTD-350 detecting strong electric fields ............................................................................................... 43 
9.5 BTD fault detection and appropriate response .................................................................................... 44 
9.6 Performance FAQs ................................................................................................................................. 47 
 
 
 
TABLE OF FIGURES 
 
Figure 1: Main components of the BTD ................................................................................4
Figure 2: Site suitability considerations.................................................................................6
Figure 3: Lowering of electronics enclosure box from its temporary packaging position 7
Figure 4: BTD base plate dimensions.....................................................................................8
Figure 5: NORTH pointing arrow..........................................................................................8
Figure 6: BTD-300 Assembly Instructions ............................................................................9
Figure 7: Insertion of a corona spike into one of the rain shields. ....................................10 
Figure 8: BTD-300 and BTD-350 Enclosure box cable gland arrangement ....................12 
Figure 9: Terminal positions for power connection ............................................................13 
Figure 10: Location and numbering of the RS422 terminals on the main circuit board 14 
Figure 11: Location of SW2 switch.......................................................................................15 
Figure 12: Location of RS422 configuration switches ........................................................16 
Figure 13: Relay Connections ...............................................................................................17 
Figure 14: Antenna insulator unit (BTD-300 shown) .........................................................31 
Figure 15: BTD Dimensions..................................................................................................40 
 
 
TABLES 
 
Table 1: RS422 Serial communication terminal designations ...........................................14 
Table 2: Standard Data Message ..........................................................................................21 

User Manual for BTD 
 
 
 
Table 3: Warning Flag Description ......................................................................................22 
Table 4: Local Calibration Message .....................................................................................23 
Table 5: Site Characterisation Message ...............................................................................24 
Table 6: Self-Test Message.....................................................................................................24 
Table 7: Status Flag Description...........................................................................................25 
Table 8: Second Status Flag Description..............................................................................25 
Table 9: Sensitivity Level Message .......................................................................................26 
Table 10: Distance Limit Message ........................................................................................26 
Table 11: Relay Parameter Message.....................................................................................26 
Table 12: Real Time Clock Message.....................................................................................27 
Table 13: Hysteresis Time Message ......................................................................................27 
Table 14: Distant Warning Message.....................................................................................27 
Table 15: Site characterisation warnings.............................................................................45 

User Manual for BTD SAFETY

1SAFETY

1.1. Lightning Safety

The BTD is a highly sensitive lightning detector, designed to inform the user of any lightning

flash within 45 nautical miles (83 km) of the installation site within 2 seconds of its occurrence.

This, combined with continuous monitoring of the electrical conditions present at the site prior

to any lightning activity, offers a comprehensive local thunderstorm warning solution. It is

however essential that the BTD is installed and powered correctly at a suitable site for timely

warnings of potentially hazardous weather. Failure to correctly follow the site selection,

installation and maintenance instructions provided by this manual, or check for sensor fault

alerts, could result in the sensor failing to warn of local thunderstorm activity.

It must be remembered that the BTD can only warn of potential or current thunderstorm

activity. The unit does not provide any form of direct lightning protection and it is the

responsibility of the user to ensure that all appropriate and timely action to protect personnel

and property is made once a thunderstorm threat is identified. If supplementary information on

potential thunderstorm activity is identified before the BTD issues an alert (human observation,

for example) then we always recommend that action to safeguard personnel and property

commences immediately, such as going inside a substantial building, prior to the BTD issuing

an alert.

This sensor has been proven to produce timely and reliable warnings during extensive field

trials, although even with advance warning of overhead thunderstorm development, the

meteorological situation can quickly become hazardous. It is therefore advisable to always be

aware of possible local thunderstorm activity provided by the local weather service and produce

your lightning safety plan well in advance of hazardous weather. When local thunderstorm

activity is detected, the situation should be carefully monitored and you should be prepared for

a rapid escalation of the threat level. There is still a significant risk from lightning for several

minutes after the thunderstorm has passed overhead, which is reflected in the delay for BTD

warning end times after the last trigger has been received.

User Manual for BTD PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1.2. Electrical Safety

CE Certification - Safety

All Biral’s Sensors comply with the requirements for UKCA and CE marking. Once installed,

it is the user’s responsibility to ensure that all connections made to the sensor comply with all

Local and National safety requirements.

For the Sensor to comply with the requirements of EN 61010-1:2010+A1:2019, ‘Safety

requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use’, the

following should be observed:

A switch or circuit breaker must be included in the installation.

This switch or circuit breaker must be suitably located and easily reached.

It must be marked as the disconnecting device for this equipment.

2PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The Biral Thunderstorm Detectors BTD-300 and BTD-350 are standalone sensors providing

real-time detection and ranging of thunderstorm activity within 45 nautical miles (83 km). The

sensor bases thunderstorm warnings on the detection and range of lightning flashes throughout

the detection area, as well as the presence of strong electric fields and electrically charged

precipitation occurring at the installation site. The strong electric fields and charged

precipitation provide the ability to warn of the potential for nearby lightning activity before the

occurrence of the first flash, with the subsequent flashes used for thunderstorm intensity and

proximity monitoring.

This product MUST BE EARTHED

Failure to install a suitable earth may result in inaccurate readings

and damage to the product and attached equipment.

Failure to install an earth will make the unit potentially unsafe

User Manual for BTD PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Lightning flashes of all types (cloud-to-ground, cloud-to-cloud and intra-cloud) and polarities

are detected, ranged and logged within 2 seconds of their initiation. The BTD is primarily a

thunderstorm warning system, so the location and frequency of flashes are considered as the

most important parameters for assessing lightning risk. The BTD therefore does not

discriminate between different flash types, polarities or strengths, so these properties of the

detected flashes are not available.

Electric field disturbances associated with potential overhead thunderstorm development

produce an alert after 5 seconds of continuous detection. Such sensitivity and rapid alerts allow

the greatest warning time of local thunderstorm development for the user, with the unique

monitoring techniques providing an extremely low false alarm rate.

The operating principle of the BTD is based upon sensing changes in the atmospheric electric

field in the frequency band of 1-47 Hz. Such low frequency means that the sensor is most

sensitive to slow-varying electrostatic fields associated with charge transfer from lightning

flashes, nearby corona (point) discharge and the turbulent movement of strongly-charged

aerosol associated with thunderstorm activity. In addition, charge transferred to the antennas

by precipitation is analysed and used to determine whether the overhead cloud has the potential

for thunderstorm activity. Radio emissions (both natural and man-made) are associated with

considerably higher frequencies so do not produce interference on the sensor. Noise associated

with mains power distribution (typically 50 or 60 Hz and harmonics) are removed by both

analog and digital filtering.

In addition to electric field variations associated with lightning and local electric field

enhancement, there are unwanted sources such as nearby movement of people, birds and

charged materials. These sources of interference are identified and prevented from triggering a

false alarm by software algorithms exploiting the unique geometry of the BTD antenna array.

For a comprehensive description of the underlying scientific principles used by the BTD the

user is referred to the following peer-reviewed journal publication:

Bennett, A. J. (2013). Identification and ranging of lightning flashes using co-located antennas

of different geometry. Measurement Science and Technology, 24(12), 125801.

doi:10.1088/0957-0233/24/12/125801.

The main components of the BTD are shown in Figure 1. The sensor uses three antennas kept

electrically isolated from the ground by heated weatherproof insulators, allowing induced

currents from distant lightning of less than 1nA to be detected during all weather conditions.

Heaters are present inside all 5 (BTD-300) or 7 (BTD-350) insulators and each antenna has a

gas discharge unit to ground to protect the amplifier from current surges associated with very

close lightning, whilst retaining the sensor’s ability to detect them. An amplifier with an

analogue filter stage is housed in the primary antenna insulator and one of the antenna

insulators for the secondary and tertiary antennas. The amplified signal is then sent along

shielded wires to the main circuit board housed inside the electronics enclosure. There are two

grounding terminals near the join of the vertical support pole to ensure good grounding of both

parts of the support pole and to provide a good earth bonding point (See section 3.9).

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