BLIDS

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BLIDS represents BL itz I nformation D ERVICE of S iemens. This is a commercial lightning location system from Siemens AG , based in Karlsruhe, which has been locating thunderstorms since 1992 . BLIDS operates 32 measuring stations in Germany and the surrounding countries, which together with a further 102 measuring stations from other location services such as ALDIS ( Austrian Lightning Detection & Information System ) throughout Europe form the EUCLID ( European Cooperation for Lightning Detection ). In this way, lightning strikes are registered with an accuracy of 200 meters across Europe.

A paid subscription is required for the exact location of lightning strikes, but there is currently a set of free overview thunderstorm maps for Germany , Switzerland , Benelux , Great Britain and Poland with the BLIDS-Spy . The flashes of the last 120 minutes are shown color-coded according to time. Some weather sites on the Internet also offer current lightning maps and lightning reviews, including the type and strength of the lightning, free of charge on the basis of BLIDS.

Procedure

Lightning sends out an electromagnetic wave that travels hundreds of kilometers. From the characteristics of the low-frequency electromagnetic wave, special algorithms and filters in the measuring stations determine whether there is lightning. A frequency range from 1  kHz to 350 kHz is evaluated, loop antennas which primarily detect the magnetic field component serve as receiving antennas . The measured data can also be used to draw conclusions about the strength, type and polarity of the lightning strike.

Electromagnetic waves propagate at the speed of light and reach the measuring stations set up at different locations at different times. This allows the impact location to be determined based on the difference in arrival time. The measuring stations, which are equipped with very precise, GPS-supported clocks, provide the data with a time stamp and transmit them to the central computer in Karlsruhe. This merges the data from all measuring stations and then calculates the final data set of a lightning strike consisting of time, current , polarity, type and location. A few seconds after the felling, these data records are transmitted to customers in various ways and are stored in a database for subsequent use.

application areas

Below are some examples of by whom and how the data from BLIDS are (can) used:

  • Private individuals : For private individuals, the warning of lightning activity in a definable area offers protection during outdoor activities. Electronic devices in the household can be disconnected from the power grid to protect against overvoltage before a thunderstorm occurs .
  • Energy supplier : When work is being carried out on power lines or pipelines , workers can be warned quickly and thus avoid an electric shock from touching lines struck by lightning. Lightning can also trigger the safety devices on a high-voltage line . Using the data from BLIDS, operators can quickly find out that the fuse was probably triggered by lightning (and not an earth or short circuit ) and reconnect the line.
  • Insurance : Insurance companies handle many cases of alleged lightning damage. BLIDS provides Internet portals with the help of which clerks can find out whether lightning has actually struck at a certain place and in a certain period of time. Thus, fraud can be prevented.
  • Weather services : The lightning data is an important support when creating weather forecasts and weather warnings. For example, you can see on the screen how big a thunderstorm is and in which direction it is moving.
  • Lightning protection : When calculating lightning protection systems, statistical data are used. For example, based on the lightning strikes of the last ten years at a location, the probability of a strike can be calculated and the lightning rods dimensioned accordingly.
  • Industrial plants : Lightning can affect or destroy sensitive plants. With timely warning by a lightning alarm automatically generated by BLIDS, systems can be shut down and damage avoided. The operator of a system can determine the coordinates and radius within which an alarm is triggered in the form of a call, e-mail, SMS or fax.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ BLIDS Spion Germany , accessed on June 26, 2014.
  2. ↑ BLIDS Spy Switzerland ( Memento of the original from August 25, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed June 26, 2014.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.industry.siemens.com
  3. ↑ BLIDS Spy BeNeLux , accessed on June 26, 2014.
  4. ↑ BLIDS Spy Great Britain , accessed June 26, 2014.
  5. ↑ BLIDS Spy Poland , accessed on June 26, 2014.
  6. ↑ Technical data sheet Lightning Sensor LS7002 . Vaisala, accessed December 27, 2015 .