FprEN 50536

FINAL DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD FprEN 50536

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM November 2010
ICS 07.060
English version
Protection against lightning -

Thunderstorm warning systems
Protection contre la foudre - Blitzschutz -

Dispositif de détection d'orage Gewitterwarnsysteme
This draft European Standard is submitted to CENELEC members for formal vote.
Deadline for CENELEC: 2011-01-07.
It has been drawn up by CLC/TC 81X.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national
standard without any alteration.
This draft European Standard was established by CENELEC in three official versions (English, French, German).
A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own
language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of
which they are aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to
change without notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels
© 2010 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Project: 16035 Ref. No. FprEN 50536:2010 E

FprEN 50536:2010 –2–
1 Foreword
2 This draft European Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee CENELEC TC 81X,
3 Lightning protection. It is submitted to the formal vote.
4 Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
5 patent rights. CEN and CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
6 rights.
7 The following dates are proposed:
– latest date by which the existence of the amendment

has to be announced at national level
(doa) dor + 6 months
– latest date by which the amendment has to be implemented

at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement
(dop) dor + 12 months
– latest date by which the national standards conflicting

with the amendment have to be withdrawn
(dow) dor + 36 months
(to be confirmed or
modified when voting)
8
–3– FprEN 50536:2010
9 Contents
10 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................6
11 1 General .............................................................................................................................................7
12 1.1 Object .....................................................................................................................................7
13 1.2 Scope......................................................................................................................................7
14 2 Normative references .....................................................................................................................8
15 3 Terms and definitions ....................................................................................................................8
16 4 Thunderstorm phases and detectable phenomena foralarming .............................................11
17 4.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................11
18 4.2 Phase 1 – Initial phase (Cumulus stage)..............................................................................11
19 4.3 Phase 2 – Growth phase ......................................................................................................12
20 4.4 Phase 3 – Mature phase ......................................................................................................12
21 4.5 Phase 4 – Dissipation phase ................................................................................................12
22 5 Classification of thunderstorm detection devices and their properties .................................12
23 6 Alarm method ................................................................................................................................14
24 6.1 General .................................................................................................................................14
25 6.2 Areas ....................................................................................................................................14
26 6.3 Alarm triggering ....................................................................................................................15
27 6.4 Alarm information delivery ....................................................................................................17
28 7 Installation and maintenance ......................................................................................................17
29 8 Alarm evaluation ...........................................................................................................................17
30 8.1 General .................................................................................................................................17
31 8.2 Evaluation of systems by using lightning location data ........................................................19
32 8.3 Fine tuning of TWS by processing archived data .................................................................19
33 9 Thunderstorms Warning Systems application guide ...............................................................20
34 9.1 General .................................................................................................................................20
35 9.2 Procedure .............................................................................................................................20
36 Annex A (informative) Overview of the lightning phenomena .........................................................23
37 A.1 Origin of thunderclouds and electrification ...........................................................................23
38 A.2 Lightning phenomena ...........................................................................................................24
39 A.3 Electrical thunderstorm and lightning characteristics useful for prevention ............................25
40 Annex B (informative) Thunderstorm detection techniques ............................................................27
41 B.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................27
42 B.2 Detection techniques and parameters to qualify a sensor ...................................................27
43 B.3 Location techniques ..............................................................................................................28
44 B.4 Thunderstorm detectors evaluation ......................................................................................30
45 B.5 Choosing a thunderstorm detection system .........................................................................30
46 Annex C (informative) Thunderstorms Warning Systems application examples ..........................31
47 C.1 Example n° 1 – TELECOMUNICATION TOWER ................................................................31
48 C.2 Example n° 2 – GOLF COURSE ..........................................................................................33
49 C.3 Example n° 3 – WIND TURBINE FARM (including its maintenance) ..................................35
50 Annex D (informative) Catalogue of possible recommended preventive actions to be taken ......38
51 Annex E (informative) Example of TWS evaluation on a wind turbine site .....................................41
52 Bibliography ..........................................................................................................................................43
53
FprEN 50536:2010 –4–
54 Figures
55 Figure 1 ― Examples of different target shapes ................................................................................... 14

56 Figure 2 ― Example of the distribution of the coverage area (CA), the monitoring area (MA)
57 and the target area ....................................................................................................................... 15
58 Figure 3 ― Example of an alarm. a) Locations of the lightning related events (LRE) in the defined
59 areas (coverage area CA, monitoring area MA, surrounding area SA, and target ); b)
60 temporal occurrence of the lightning related events (LRE); and c) timing of the alarm
61 according to the occurrence of the lightning related events (LRE) in the defined areas. Note:
62 surrounding area used in this figure is defined in 8.2) .................................................................. 16
63 Figure 4 ― Introduction of the surrounding area (SA) for evaluation purposes .................................... 19
64 Figure A.1 ― Adapted from Krehbiel (1986) ......................................................................................... 23
65 Figure A.2 ― Standard lightning classifications .................................................................................... 24
66 Figure D.1 ― Possible preventive steps ............................................................................................... 40
67 Figure E.1 ― CG lightning activity around the wind turbine for a period of eight years (a total of
68 2 480 strokes were reported) ........................................................................................................ 41
69 Tables
70 Table 1 ― Lightning detector properties ............................................................................................... 13

71 Table 2 ― Contingency table ................................................................................................................ 18
72 Table 3 ― Identification of hazardous situations................................................................................... 21
73 Table 4 ― Loss concerning people ....................................................................................................... 21
74 Table 5 ― Loss concerning goods ........................................................................................................ 21
75 Table 6 ― Loss concerning services .................................................................................................... 22
76 Table 7 ― Loss concerning environment .............................................................................................. 22
77 Table 8 ― Risk control .......................................................................................................................... 22
78 Table C.1 ― Identification of hazardous situations ............................................................................... 31
79 Table C.2 ― Loss concerning people ................................................................................................... 32
80 Table C.3 ― Loss concerning goods .................................................................................................... 32
81 Table C.4 ― Loss concerning services ................................................................................................. 32
82 Table C.5 ― Loss concerning environment .......................................................................................... 32
83 Table C.6 ― Risk control....................................................................................................................... 33
84 Table C.7 ― Identification of hazardous situations ............................................................................... 33
85 Table C.8 ― Loss concerning people ................................................................................................... 34
86 Table C.9 ― Loss concerning goods .................................................................................................... 34
87 Table C.10 ― Loss concerning services ............................................................................................... 34
88 Table C.11 ― Loss concerning environment ........................................................................................ 34
89 Table C.12 ― Risk control..................................................................................................................... 35
90 Table C.13 ― Identification of hazardous situations ............................................................................. 35
91 Table C.14 ― Loss concerning people ................................................................................................. 36
92 Table C.15 ― Loss concerning goods .................................................................................................. 36
93 Table C.16 ― Loss concerning services ............................................................................................... 36
94 Table C.17 ― Loss concerning environment ........................................................................................ 36
95 Table C.18 ― Risk control..................................................................................................................... 37
96 Table D.1 ― Possible preventive steps ................................................................................................ 39
–5– FprEN 50536:2010
97 Table E.1 ― Results of TWS evaluation based on archived lightning date for an 8-year period
98 (2000 to 2007), when some of the key parameters (size of MA, trigger parameters and dwell
99 time) were varied .......................................................................................................................... 42
100
FprEN 50536:2010 –6–
101 Introduction
102 Natural atmospheric electric activity and in particular cloud-to-ground lightning poses a serious threat
103 to living beings and property.
104 Every year severe injuries and even deaths of humans are caused as a direct or indirect result of
105 lightning:
106 – sport, cultural and political events attracting large concentrations of people may have to be
107 suspended and evacuated in the case of a risk of thunderstorm;
108 – power outages and unplanned interruptions of production processes;
109 – the wider use of electrical components that are sensitive to the effects of lightning (in industry,
110 transportation and communication) has led to a steady increase in the number of accidents per
111 year. In order to reduce this number of accidents and important material losses, it may be
112 necessary in some circumstances, to disconnect certain equipment from any incoming
113 installations;
114 – thunderstorms could interrupt all kinds of traffic (people, energy, information, etc.);
115 – activities with an environmental risk, for example: handling of sensitive, inflammable, explosive or
116 chemical products.
117 Lightning is also one of the causes of fires.
118 During the last decades, technical systems and systems devoted to real-time monitoring of natural
119 atmospheric electric activity and lightning have experienced an extraordinary development. These
120 systems can provide high quality and valuable information in real-time of the thunderstorm occurrence,
121 making it possible to achieve information which can be extremely valuable if coordinated with a
122 detailed plan of action.
123 Although this information allows the user to adopt anticipated temporary preventive measures, it must
124 be noted, however, that all the measures to be taken based on monitoring information are the
125 responsibility of the system user according to the relevant regulations. The effectiveness will depend
126 largely on the risk situation involved and the planned decisions to be taken. This document shows a
127 list of possible actions that is, however, merely of an informative nature.
128 It is necessary to point out that lightning and thunderstorms, as any natural phenomenon, are subject
129 to statistical uncertainty. This means that it is not possible to achieve 100 % precise information on
130 when and where lightning will strike.
131 Standards dealing with lightning protection methods to limit lightning damages already exist. They do
132 not cover other potentially dangerous situations related to thunderstorms and lightning, that can be
133 dynamically prevented or reduced by temporary measures whose origin is a preventive alert provided
134 by a detection system.
–7– FprEN 50536:2010
135 1 General
136 1.1 Object

137 This European Standard provides information on the characteristics of thunderstorm warning systems
138 and information for the evaluation of the necessity of lightning real time data and/or storm
139 electrification data in order to implement lightning hazard preventive measures.
140 1.2 Scope

141 This European Standard provides the basic requirements of sensors and networks collecting accurate
142 data of the relevant parameters informing in real-time about lightning tracking and range. It describes
143 the application of the data collected by these sensors and networks in the form of warnings and
144 historical data.
145 This European Standard applies to the use of information from thunderstorm warning systems (which
146 are systems or equipment which provide real-time information) on atmospheric electrical activity in
147 order to monitor for preventive means.
148 The scope of this document is providing:
149 – a general description of the available lightning and storm electrification hazard warning systems;
150 – a classification of thunderstorm detection devices and properties;
151 – guidelines for alarming methods;
152 – a procedure to determine the thunderstorm information necessity;
153 – some examples of possible preventive actions (only for information).
154 A non-exhaustive list of activities to which this European Standard might apply is given below:
155 – people in open areas: maintenance people, labour, sports or other open-air activities,
156 competitions, crowded events, agricultural activities, farms and fisheries;
157 – wind farms, larger solar power systems, power lines, etc.;
158 – occupational health and safety prevention;
159 – safeguard sensitive equipment: computer systems, electric or electronic systems, emergency
160 systems, alarms and safety;
161 – prevention of losses in operations and industrial processes;
162 – prevention of serious accidents involving dangerous substances (e.g. flammable, radioactive,
163 toxic, and explosive);
164 – prevention in determined environments or activities with special danger of electrostatic

165 discharges (e.g. space and flight vehicle operations);
166 – operations in which the continuity of the basic services is needed to be guaranteed (e.g.
167 telecommunications, the generation, transport and distribution of energy, sanitary services and
168 emergency services);
169 – infrastructures: ports, airports, railroads, motorways and cableways;
170 – civil defence of the environment: forest fires, land slide and floods;
171 – managing traffic (e.g. airplanes.) or wide networks (e.g. power lines, telecommunication lines)
172 may also benefits from having early detection of thunderstorms.
FprEN 50536:2010 –8–
173 The following enumerated aspects are outside of this European Standard:
174 a) lightning protection which is covered in their corresponding European and National standards and
175 regulations;
176 b) other thunderstorm related phenomena such as rain, hail, wind, etc.;
177 c) satellite and radar thunderstorm detection techniques;
178 d) this European Standard does not address any details on lightning and/or storm electrification
179 hazard preventive actions.
180 2 Normative references
181 The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
182 references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
183 document (including any amendments) applies.
184 EN 62305 series, Protection against lightning (IEC 62305 series)
185 3 Terms and definitions
186 For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
187 3.1
188 alarm
189 information indicating that the target is potentially subject of being affected by thunderstorms and the
190 accompanying lightning related events
191 3.2
192 cloud flash
193 lightning flash that never reaches the ground
194 NOTE 1 It can be an intra-cloud, a cloud-to-cloud or a cloud-to-air flash.
195 NOTE 2 By extension the term “intra-cloud” (IC) lightning sometimes encompasses the whole cloud flash family.
196 3.3
197 lightning flash to earth

198 CG flash
199 electrical discharge of atmospheric origin between cloud and earth consisting of one or more strokes
200 [EN 62305-1:2006]
201 3.4
202 coverage area
203 CA
204 area where a given warning equipment has a sufficient detection efficiency and/or accuracy to
205 elaborate a warning
206 3.5
207 detection efficiency
208 DE
209 percentage of actual lightning discharges that are detected and located by a sensor or a network
210 NOTE As cloud to ground flashes are often composed of several strokes there is a difference between flash detection
211 efficiency (DEf) and stroke detection efficiency (DEs). A flash is reported (detected) if at least one stroke (first or subsequent) is
212 detected and therefore DEf is always equal or higher than DEs.
–9– FprEN 50536:2010
213 3.6
214 dwell time
215 DT
216 time that an alarm is sustained after all warning criteria are no longer met
217 3.7
218 effective alarm
219 EA
220 alarm where a lightning related event occurs in the surrounding area during the total alarm duration
221 3.8
222 excessive alarm duration
223 EAD
224 time after the last lightning related event occurred in the target waiting for the alarm to be released
225 3.9
226 failure to warn
227 FTW
228 occurrence of a lightning related event in the target for which no alarm was raised
229 3.10
230 failure to warn ratio
231 FTWR
232 ratio of failure to warn with respect to the total number of situations with lightning related events in
233 target
234 3.11
235 false alarm
236 FA
237 alarm never followed by lightning related events in neither the target nor the surrounding area
238 3.12
239 false alarm ratio
240 FAR
241 ratio of false alarms with respect to the total number of alarms
242 NOTE False alarm ratio is also known as false alarm rate.
243 3.13
244 field strength meter
245 FSM
246 device for continuous monitoring of the atmospheric electrostatic field associated with thunderstorms
247 (e.g. field mill)
248 3.14
249 intra cloud flash
250 IC
251 see cloud flash
252 3.15
253 lead time
254 LT
255 time between the start of an alarm and the effective occurrence of the first lightning related event in
256 the target
FprEN 50536:2010 – 10 –
257 3.16
258 lightning flash
259 electrical discharge produced by a thunderstorm
260 NOTE This discharge may occur within or between clouds, between the cloud and air, between a cloud and the ground or
261 between the ground and a cloud.
262 3.17
263 dangerous event
264 LRE
265 lightning flash to or near the structure to be protected, or to or near a line connected to the structure to
266 be protected that may cause damage
267 [EN 62305-2:2006]
268 3.18
269 lightning stroke
270 single electrical discharge in a lightning flash to earth
271 [EN 62305-1:2006]
272 3.19
273 location accuracy
274 LA
275 statistical measure of the position difference between the actual strike point and the estimated location
276 NOTE Typically given as a median (50 %) location error.
277 3.20
278 monitoring area
279 MA
280 geographic area where the lightning activity or other parameters associated with the thunderstorms is
281 monitored in order to elaborate a warning valid for the target
282 3.21
283 physical damage
284 damage to a structure (or to its contents) or to a service due to mechanical, thermal, chemical or
285 explosive effects of lightning
286 3.22
287 preventive actions
288 actions of a temporary nature, taken on the basis of the preventive information and framed within the
289 emergency plans of each activity, service or collective
290 3.23
291 relevant alarm duration
292 RAD
293 time between the occurrence of the first and last lightning related event in the surrounding area while
294 the alarm was raised
295 3.24
296 return stroke
297 see lightning stroke
298 3.25
299 point of strike
300 point where a lightning flash strikes the earth or protruding objects (e.g. structure, lightning protection
301 system, line, tree, etc.)
302 [EN 62305-1:2006]
303 NOTE A lightning flash may have more than one point of strike.
– 11 – FprEN 50536:2010
304 3.26
305 surrounding area
306 SA
307 geographic area that surrounds and includes the target
308 NOTE Any lightning related event occurring in the surrounding area is potentially dangerous. This area is used when
309 evaluating a thunderstorm warning system to determine the false alarm ratio and other performance parameters.
310 3.27
311 target
312 geographic area where a warning is needed in order to facilitate decision making and to activate
313 preventive actions before a lightning related event occurs in that area
314 3.28
315 thunderstorm
316 local storm produced by a cumulonimbus cloud and accompanied by lightning and thunder
317 3.29
318 thunderstorm detectors
319 equipment capable of evaluating one or more parameters associated with the electric mechanism of
320 the thunderstorm
321 NOTE Thunderstorm detectors may consist of a single detector or of a network of connected detectors.
322 3.30
323 thunderstorm warning system
324 TWS
325 system composed by thunderstorm detectors able to monitor the thunderstorm activity in the
326 monitoring area and some ways of processing to elaborate a valid warning related to the lightning
327 related events for a defined target
328 3.31
329 total alarm duration
330 TAD
331 time between triggering and the release of an alarm
332 3.32
333 warning
334 see alarm
335 3.33
336 warning level
337 current status of the alarm
338 4 Thunderstorm phases and detectable phenomena foralarming
339 4.1 Introduction

340 Four distinct stages can be identified during the thunderstorm life time cycle regarding detectable
341 phenomena: the initial phase, the growth phase, the mature phase and the dissipation phase.
342 4.2 Phase 1 – Initial phase (Cumulus stage)

343 Phase of cloud electrification by means of electrical charge separation within the cloud. The charges
344 are distributed in regions within the cloud and produce a measurable electrostatic field at ground level.
345 It is considered the first detectable phenomenon precursory of a thunderstorm.
346 NOTE Electrostatic fields may produce potential dangers such as electrostatic discharges (ESD) even in case of no lightning
347 activity.
FprEN 50536:2010 – 12 –
348 4.3 Phase 2 – Growth phase

349 This phase, sometimes also called development phase, is characterized by the occurrence of first
350 intra-cloud IC (or cloud-to-ground CG) lightning activity. The first intra-cloud (IC) flashes appear after
351 certain development of the charge regions in the cloud. However in some situations there is no clear
352 time delay between the first IC flash and the first CG flash.
353 NOTE IC flashes typically represent the majority of the total lightning activity generated by a thunderstorm. Significant
354 variation in the IC/CG rate is observed for individual storms.
355 4.4 Phase 3 – Mature phase

356 This stage is characterized by the presence of both CG and IC flashes.
357 4.5 Phase 4 – Dissipation phase

358 This phase is characterized by the decaying of both IC and CG flash rates and the reduction of the
359 electrostatic field to the fair weather level.
360 5 Classification of thunderstorm detection devices and their properties
361 Thunderstorm detectors are classified in relation with the detectable thunderstorm phases depending
362 on the detectable phenomena. However, a thunderstorm detector can detect one or several
363 phenomena.
364 There are several ways to look at the means to detect thunderstorms in general and lightning strikes in
365 particular. One way is to look at the phase of the thunderstorm for which a detector is meant in
366 particular. Another way is to look at the frequency range of the signal emitted by a lightning strike that
367 is used by a sensor. A third way is to look at techniques that a sensor uses to detect a lightning strike
368 and to calculate its position.
369 For the phases of a thunderstorm the following phases are recognized, as explained in Clause 4:
370 – phase 1: initial phase;
371 – phase 2: growth phase;
372 – phase 3: mature phase;
373 – phase 4: dissipation phase.
374 For the classification of thunderstorm or lighting strike detectors the following classes are defined:
375 – class I: detectors of class I detect a thunderstorm over its entire lifecycle (phases 1 to 4);
376 – class II: detectors of class II detect IC and CG flashes (phases 2 to 4);
377 – class III: detectors of class III detect CG flashes only (phases 3 and 4);
378 – class IV: detectors of class IV detect CG flashes (phase 3) and other electromagnetic sources
379 with very limited efficiency.
380 The classes are explained in more detail in B.1.

– 13 – FprEN 50536:2010
381 The frequency ranges that are used in lightning detection are:
382 – DC: static and quasi static electrical fields;
383 – VLF: very low frequencies (3 kHz - 30 kHz);
384 – LF: low frequencies (30 kHz - 300 kHz);
385 – VHF: very high frequencies (30 MHz - 300 MHz).
386 All these phenomena to be measured result in different sensor and location techniques. Those
387 techniques may be distinguished as follows:
388 – MDF: magnetic direction finder;
389 – TOA: time of arrival;
390 – RFI: interferometry;
391 – FSM: field strength measurements;
392 – RF: radio frequency signal strength measurements.
393 NOTE This list is not exhaustive.
394 These detection techniques are described in some detail in B.2.
395 Table 1 shows the connection between the frequency range in which a detector may operate and the
396 phases, classes and typical ranges of operation for those detectors.
397 Table 1 ― Lightning detector properties
Technique Physical detectable Frequency Phase/s Main Secondary Typical Application

phenomenon class class sensor
range
km
FSM Electrification process DC 1, 2, 3, 4 I 20 Short range early
warning systems
MDF Electrical charges VLF 2, 3 III II No limit Low detection
motion efficiency and
location accuracy
– very long range
detection
MDF, TOA Electromagnetic LF 2, 3 III II 600 - 900 Long range –
radiation high location
(lightning current) accuracy for CG
detection
TOA Breakdown and VHF 2,3 II III 200 Medium range –
leader processes high location
accuracy for both
(IC/CG) CG and IC
RFI Breakdown and VHF 2,3 II III 300 Medium range –
leader processes high location
accuracy for both
(IC/CG) CG and IC
RF Electromagnetic LF 3 IV 100 Meteorological
radiation interest
(lightning current)
NOTE The main class is the class for which the detector is designed. The secondary class is the class or are the classes for
which the sensor is appropriate too.
398
FprEN 50536:2010 – 14 –
399 More information on the properties and guidance in choosing a sensor for a certain purpose is given in
400 Annex B.
401 6 Alarm method
402 6.1 General

403 In order to let the user take all possible preventive actions, a thunderstorm warning system (TWS)
404 shall provide an alarm for a target where the lightning related event (LRE) represents a threat.
405 The identification of those LRE is deduced from the description of dangerous situations provided in
406 Clause 9. An alarm derives from monitoring the lightning activity, either or both CG and IC but also
407 other parameters such as the electrostatic field in the monitoring area (MA). Combinations with
408 additional meteorological observations are usually employed (e.g. meteorological radar). For detection
409 systems able to provide mapping information (lightning detection networks, radars, etc) it is possible to
410 track potentially dangerous thunderstorm cells thus improving the performance of TWS. Information
411 about TWS is described in Annex B.
412 The setup of an alarm includes three steps:
413 – areas definitions;
414 – alarm triggering criteria;
415 – alarm information delivery.
416 All three steps should be documented. Guidelines to set up an alarm are presented in this section and
417 some examples are included in Annex E.
418 6.2 Areas

419 6.2.1 Target area: precise description of the area which should include the physical extension where
420 the warning is needed. The target area can be limited to a single point (Figure 1a)), e.g. tower on
421 which workers are operating, limited size factory or can be extended (e.g. large buildings, wind farms,
422 golf courses: Figure 1b)). It is however recommended to use larger areas for safety reasons. In many
423 cases, it may appear simpler to limit the LRE to the occurrence of CG flashes and therefore adapt the
424 size and shape of the target in order to take into account all possible induced effects. For example, a
425 system sensitive to overvoltages on the power line can be warned for the occurrence of CG flashes in
426 a target encompassing the site but also the power line and its vicinity (Figure 1c)). Therefore, each CG
427 flash occurring in this target will be treated as a LRE able to cause the dreaded overvoltage. Thus, the
428 target also depends on the type of LRE and the effects that it could cause (see Clause 7).
a) Single point b) Arbitrary shape c) Including services
429 Figure 1 ― Examples of different target shapes
430 6.2.2 Monitoring area (MA): The size and the shape of the monitoring area should be adjusted
431 according to the type of the TWS (see Annex B), its capabilities (see Annex B, e.g. detection efficiency
432 and location accuracy), the shape of the target, the objectives and the performance of the alarm
433 system.
– 15 – FprEN 50536:2010
434 6.2.3 Coverage area (CA): Once the MA is defined, the detection system should have a CA that
435 includes the MA. When the CA does not cover the whole MA necessary to elaborate a reliable warning
436 on the target, it will be essential to juxtapose several elementary systems. The detection efficiency
437 (DE) and/or the location accuracy (LA) of the detection system within the range of the MA should be
438 known and their influence to the alarm performance should be considered.
CA
MA
Target
439
440 Figure 2 ― Example of the distribution of the coverage area (CA),

441 the monitoring area (MA) and the target area
442 6.3 Alarm triggering

443 In general, an alarm is triggered when the monitored information provided by the TWS is detected
444 within the MA. The criteria of triggering should be defined and depends on the characteristics of the
445 TWS and its performance within the MA (e.g. one or several CG flashes, one or several IC flashes,
446 certain electrostatic field level, electrostatic field polarity, and combinations of some criteria).
447 An example of a timing of an alarm is displayed in Figure 3.

FprEN 50536:2010 – 16 –
448
449 Figure 3 ― Example of an alarm. a) Locations of the lightning related events (LRE) in the
450 defined areas (coverage area CA, monitoring area MA, surrounding area SA, and target ); b)
451 temporal occurrence of the lightning related events (LRE); and c) timing of the alarm according
452 to the occurrence of the lightning related events (LRE) in the defined areas. Note: surrounding
453 area used in this figure is defined in 8.2)
454 The lead time (LT) is the time available to conduct the preventive actions before the first LRE in the
455 target area may occur.
– 17 – FprEN 50536:2010
456 In order to avoid switching the warning level permanently, the lightning warning system shall use a
457 dwell time (DT) to sustain the alarm even if the alarm criteria are not met any longer. If the value set
458 for the dwell time is too large, the excessive alarm duration will rise significantly thus making the alarm
459 more costly (depends on the application). Note that systems able to accurately detect the end of an
460 alarm by any other means than the occurrence of lightning flashes in the monitoring area, such as for
461 example Class I (field strength meter FSM) systems, may not use the dwell time to release the alarm
462 but the occurrence of this end-of-alarm condition.
463 The total alarm duration corresponds to the interval between the alarm trigger to the end of the dwell
464 time (DT).
465 6.4 Alarm information delivery

466 A clear alarm delivery procedure and protocol should be defined to ensure that the alarm information
467 will be properly received by the end user.
468 It is mandatory to monitor faults of the thunderstorm detectors and communication links and notify the
469 end users of all possible detected faults that may affect the availability and the quality of the alarm.
470 7 Installation and maintenance
471 Any thunderstorm detectors must be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and in the
472 best conditions for ensuring the fewest disruptions produced by its environment. For this purpose it is
473 highly recommendable to make a prior study of the proposed location in order to adapt the sensors of
474 the system to the specific conditions of the site.
475 The installation of thunderstorm detectors is prone to be affected by multiple factors, so, any new
476 installation may need a prior adjustment period before it is considered to be working at its optimum
477 level. This adjustment must be made by the system’s manufacturer or by a technician specifically
478 authorized by this manufacturer.
479 Maintenance of the systems integrated in a TWS, including alarm delivery is indispensable. The
480 precision of the information provided by a TWS is directly determined by the physical conditions of its
481 sensors, their environment (i.e. growing vegetation, buildings, towers, etc.), communications links
482 between the sensors and the TWS as well as between TWS and end users. So, it is considered
483 necessary to carry out the maintenance tasks every year or even at shorter periods according to the
484 manufacturer’s recommendations.
485 All these installation and maintenance recommendations are really a key factor for successful warning
486 system.
487 8 Alarm evaluation
488 8.1 General

489 By evaluating the operation of the TWS, it is possible to optimize its parameters and then improve the
490 quality and the reliability. The alarm can thus be better adapted to the end user applications.
491 Performance evaluation results in extremely valuable information for future alarm settings, preventive
492 actions improvements, and increases the knowledge of the target lightning environment.
493 It is recommended to establish an evaluation procedure. In this procedure the user should provide
494 information about previous experiences (e.g. number of alarms, failure to warn, false alarms,
495 damages, etc.) during a particular alarm setup.
FprEN 50536:2010 – 18 –
496 The evaluation can be performed in different ways depending on the availability of validation
497 information, such as:
498 – experience and good sense: climatology, local observations, unrealistic alarm durations, etc.;
499 – cross-correlation with other sources of information: data from other lightning location systems,
500 meteorological radar, satellite, etc.;
501 – processing archived data for systems that are able to record all the information useful for
502 elaborating warnings. This is the only way to fine tune and verify the settings of the alarm
503 parameters.
504 The main performance data of a specific TWS is:
505 – the false alarm ratio (FAR) determined as the ratio of the observed false alarms (FA) to the total
506 observed alarms (FA+EA);
FA
507 FAR (1)
FA EA
508 – the failure to warn ratio (FTWR) determined as the ratio of the number of failures to warn (FTW)
509 to the expected total number of alarms (FTW+EA);
FTW
510 FTWR (2)
FTW EA
511 – the distribution of lead time (LT);
512 – the distribution of excessive alarm duration (EAD).
513 Table 2 summarizes how effective alarms (EA), false alarms (FA) and failure to warn (FTW) are
514 counted.
515 Table 2 ― Contingency table
LRE did occur in the SA LRE did not occur in the

SA
Alarm was delivered EA FA
No alarm was delivered FTW -
516 The main parameters that can be adjusted to improve the performance of a TWS are:
517 – the alarm trigger criteria in the MA;
518 – the size and shape of the MA;
519 – the dwell time (DT).
520 A change in parameters will always lead to compromises, for example:
521 – increasing MA size will increase the number of alarms, the lead time (LT) but also the false alarm
522 ratio (FAR) and excessive alarm duration (EAD);
523 – reducing MA size will increase the failure to warn ratio (FTWR) but decrease of the false alarm
524 ratio (FAR) and lead time (LT);
525 – increasing the sensitivity of the triggering criteria will decrease the failure to warn ratio (FTWR)
526 but could increase the false alarm ratio (FAR);
– 19 – FprEN 50536:2010
527 – reducing the dwell time (DT) will reduce the excessive alarm duration (EAD) but also tend to
528 artificially increase the number of alarms and reduce the lead time (LT).
529 According to the warning applications, the goal of performance optimization can be different:
530 – a minimum false alarm ratio (FAR) and excessive alarm duration (EAD) is required in applications
531 where the cost of service interruption is huge;
532 – a minimum failure to warn ratio (FTWR) is required in applications where human safety is
533 involved;
534 – a sufficient lead time (LT) is required in application where preventive actions can be long to
535 activate.
536 8.2 Evaluation of systems by using lightning location data

537 Lightning location data is available from many sources (lightning detection networks, satellite
538 observations, etc) almost everywhere with different quality in terms of detection efficiency (DE) and
539 location accuracy (LA). This data can be used as a pseudo-ground truth to evaluate the performance
540 of the TWS keeping in mind the limitation due to the given detection efficiency (DE) and location
541 accuracy (LA). Indeed, a poor detection efficiency (DE) of the validation dataset will have a tendency
542 to artificially increase the false alarm ratio (FAR).
543 In the process of evaluating a TWS it is necessary to introduce a surrounding area (SA)
544 encompassing the target as shown in Figure 4 in order to confirm the efficiency of alarming. Indeed, in
545 the case the target is warned although it never sees any LRE, the occurrence of some LRE in the very
546 close neighbourhood of the target (as defined by the surrounding area) indicates that the risk is in any
547 case, high and this situation may not be treated as a false alarm (FA). On the other hand, a target
548 warned while no LRE has been recorded at all, clearly indicates a malfunction of the equipment and
549 should be treated as a false alarm (FA). Moreover, the introduction of the surrounding area (SA)
550 allows for taking into account the limited location accuracy (LA) of the validation dataset.
Coverage Area
MA
SA
Target
551
552 Figure 4 ― Introduction of the surrounding area (SA) for evaluation purposes
553 8.3 Fine tuning of TWS by processing archived data

554 Some TWS have the ability to save raw data (lightning locations, E-field, etc.) over a long period that
555 can be used to optimize the warning parameters. According to the targeted performance of TWS (low
556 failure to warn ratio, long lead time, etc.) it will be possible to check the sensitivity of desired metrics
557 when the warning parameters (size and shape of MA and triggering criteria) are adjusted.
FprEN 50536:2010 – 20 –
558 In the case of a TWS based on field strength measurements (FSM) the only adjustable parameter will
559 be the triggering criteria. Indeed, in that case, the size and shape of the MA are strictly merged with
560 CA. The optimization will then consist of adjusting threshold values, field variation analysis, peak
561 detections, etc. This will require a sufficient time resolution for the archived data.
562 In the case of TWS based on lightning detection network it would be possible to adjust the size and
563 shape of the MA, as well triggering criteria in order to achieve the optimum performance.
564 9 Thunderstorms Warning Systems application guide
565 9.1 General

566 In general terms, use of TWS is useful to control, prevent or reduce loss of life, damages to
567 goods/services or properties (with the economic losses associated) and environmental hazard. Risk
568 management for the application of TWS has to consider a wide range of situations. In general terms, a
569 TWS pretends to reduce risks due to dangerous events (LRE) by means of anticipated temporary
570 preventive measures allowing reducing the exposure time to the threat and/or cutting off lines
571 conducting surges into the structure. More specifically a TWS is not able to substitute or replace a
572 lightning protection system and protection against lightning associated surges addressed in EN 62305.
573 TWS provide real-time information on atmospheric electrical activity, thus the statistical data referred
574 to thunderstorms might have no direct relation with the evaluation of the prevention advisability. So,
575 the advisability of implementing lightning safeguard procedures in a certain area depends on the
576 characteristics of the activity performed, the public zones exposed to thunderstorms, its human
577 presence and the possibility of taking effective preventive actions as a consequence of the information
578 provided by the TWS.
579 9.2 Procedure

580 9.2.1 General
581 Evaluation of advisability of the use of TWS includes three steps:
582 1) hazardous situations identification;
583 2) type of loss determination;
584 3) risk control: options to reduce the risk (selection, implementation and follow-up of the proper
585 measures for the control and reduction of risk).
586 This standard does not address any details on preventive actions. For examples see Annex D
587 (informative).
588 9.2.2 Step 1 – Identification of hazardous situations
589 Identify one or several hazardous situations among the different possibilities of Table 3. In the event of
590 a situation that is not covered in the table, select “Other situations”.
– 21 – FprEN 50536:2010
591 Table 3 ― Identification of hazardous situations
No. Situation
1 People in open areas without an appropriated lightning protected shelter available
(according to EN 62305 series or other standards): outdoor activities, sports (football,
golf, etc.), competitions, crowded events, farming, ranching or fishing activities,
beaches, leisure areas.
2 Safeguard of sensitive goods: computer systems, electrical or electronic controls,
emergency, alarm and safety systems.
3 Losses in operations and industrial processes.
4 Structures containing dangerous substances (inflammable, radioactive, toxic and
explosive materials).
5 Basic services whose continuity, quality or fast recovery must be guaranteed
(telecommunications, energy generation, transport and distribution, sanitary and
emergency services).
6 Infrastructures: ports, airports, railroads, roads, motorways, cableways.
7 Safety at workplace (activities that imply a risk at workplace in case of a thunderstorm).
8 Zones that need civil or environmental protection: prevention of forest fires, etc.
9 Buildings, transport or facilities with their external areas open to the public.
10 Other situations.
592
593 9.2.3 Step 2 – Determination of type of loss
594 For each selected situation of Table 3, evaluate the different losses concerning people (Table 4),
595 goods (Table 5), services (Table 6) and environment (Table 7) to determine the heaviness degree
596 (I, II, III or 0).
597 Table 4 ― Loss concerning people
Loss Heaviness degree

Loss of human life I
Serious injuries to people II
Minor injuries to people III
No injuries to people 0
598
599 Table 5 ― Loss concerning goods

Loss of valuable goods I
Loss of common value goods II
Minor losses of goods III
No loss 0
600
FprEN 50536:2010 – 22 –
601 Table 6 ― Loss concerning services

Loss of valuable services I
Loss of common services II
Minor losses of services III
No loss 0
602
603 Table 7 ― Loss concerning environment

Environmental disaster I
Damages to environment II
Minor environmental damage III
No loss 0
604
605 9.2.4 Step 3 – Risk control
606 Determine if the information given by a TWS helps to take temporary preventive actions (as given in
607 Annex C) in order to reduce the risk. If negative, the TWS is not useful (independently of the type of
608 damage). If affirmative, each situation (selected from Table 3) and type of loss (selected from Tables 4
609 to 7) determines the convenience of TWS (see Table 8).In case of several different solutions, the final
610 solution will be given by choosing the safest solution.
611 Table 8 ― Risk control
Loss heaviness Implementation of adequate TWS

(as result of Tables 4 to 7)
I Very highly recommended
II Highly recommended
III Recommended
0 Not necessary
612
– 23 – FprEN 50536:2010
613 Annex A
614 (informative)
615
616 Overview of the lightning phenomena
617 A.1 Origin of thunderclouds and electrification

618 Lightning is produced by electrified clouds, but not all clouds are electrified. Thunderclouds produce
619 lightning and are usually characterized by substantial vertical (deep) development and the
620 simultaneous presence of supercooled cloud drops, ice crystals, and graupel (soft hail) particles.
621 Thunderclouds also can produce high winds and severe weather on the ground (hail, tornados).
622 Thunderstorms or cumulonimbus clouds are produced by buoyancy forces that are set up initially
623 when sunlight heats the earth’s surface and the air in the planetary boundary layer. The
624 thermodynamic basis for the formation of convective clouds is a conditional temperature instability and
625 an initial trigger to start this process. The trigger can be produced by a variety of mechanisms;
626 boundary layer thermals, frontal and gust-front boundaries, orographic lifting (typical in mountains) and
627 frontal surfaces. When buoyant air parcels ascends and enters a lower pressure environment, the
628 parcel expands and cools until the temperature reaches the dew point. After that the condensation of
629 water vapour produces a cloud, and the latent heat released by the condensing vapour enhances the
630 parcel buoyancy. If the parcel reaches subfreezing temperatures, the conditions for the formation of
631 ice crystals and graupel that are fundamental for cloud electrification and lightning will be present.
632 Typical thunderstorm cells are characterized by diameters of 10 km, cloud top altitudes of 12 km, and
633 a life cycle of less than 30 min. But other types of thunderstorms such as multi-cell lines, cluster,
634 super-cells, and mesoscale convective systems (MCS) have larger dimensions and durations that can
635 reach several hours. Different types of thunderstorms tend to occur in different geographic regions.
636 A model of the charge distribution of a simple thundercloud consists of three charge regions, a
637 concentrated negative layer in the middle of the cloud with a more disperse positive layer above that
638 and a small pocket of positive charge below the negative region. Lightning tends to begin at or near
639 the edge of the negative region, and if it begins near the top of the layer, it usually develops into an
640 intra-cloud (IC) discharge involving the main negative and positive regions. If a discharge begins at or
641 near the lower edge of the negative layer, it can produce a downward-propagating, negative leader
642 and a cloud-to-ground (CG) discharge.
643
644 Figure A.1 ― Adapted from Krehbiel (1986)

FprEN 50536:2010 – 24 –
645 A.2 Lightning phenomena

646 Although cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning is the most dangerous type for human activities, most of the
647 lightning produced by a thunderstorm does not reach the ground. These flashes are commonly called
648 intra-cloud (IC).
649 Lightning appears after the thundercloud acquires a certain level of electrification. Intra-cloud flashes
650 usually appear several minutes before the first cloud-to-ground flash, but this is not always the case.
651 The polarity of lightning is defined by the polarity of the electric charge delivered to the ground.
652 Lightning can also be characterized by the direction of the initial leader, downward in the case of
653 cloud-to-ground or upward in the case of ground-to-cloud. Figure A.2 shows the standard lightning
654 classifications. Downward flashes are the most common and upward flashes are usually initiated by
655 tall structures (i.e. structures higher than 100 m or smaller structures in mountainous terrain).
a) Downward negative b) Upward negative
c) Downward positive d) Upward positive
656 Figure A.2 ― Standard lightning classifications
657 The most common type of lightning is negative, downward (typically around 90 %), but not in particular
658 cases such as winter thunderstorms, severe thunderstorms or in the stratiform regions of mesocale
659 convective systems (MCS) where there can be a preponderance of positive CG flashes. Typically, a
660 downward negative flash begins with a preliminary breakdown process within the cloud that in turn
661 produces a downward leader that develops in an intermittent, highly branched and stepped fashion as
662 it propagates toward ground. This process is known as the stepped-leader. When any negative
663 stepped-leader channel gets close to the ground, the electric field under the leader produces one or
664 more upward, connecting discharges that usually emanate from the sharpest extremity of the nearest
665 grounded conductor. When attachment between both leaders occurs, the return stroke begins. The
666 return stroke is an intense pulse of current that transfers current into the ground, and it propagates up
667 the pre-ionized leader channel at roughly a third of the speed of light. The peak temperature of a
668 return stroke is about 30 000 K, and it is the brightest lightning process. The duration of a return stroke
669 is several hundred microseconds to tens of milliseconds, depending on the duration of any continuing
670 current. A subsequent return stroke often appears a few tens of milliseconds after the first return
671 stroke, and there are three to four leader/return-stroke sequences in a typical lightning flash.
– 25 – FprEN 50536:2010
672 A.3 Electrical thunderstorm and lightning characteristics useful for prevention
673 A.3.1 Electrostatic field
674 The electric charge within a thundercloud produces a large electrostatic field at the ground which
675 usually is much larger than the fair-weather electric field. Thus, measuring the electric field of a
676 thunderstorm as it develops or approaches can provide an element of warning but with some
677 limitations. One of these limitations is that the electric field at ground level is not the true field
678 produced by the cloud charge because there are significant layers of space charge between the cloud
679 and the ground. Therefore, it is not possible to define a precise field threshold that corresponds to an
680 imminent lightning strike. The second limitation is that the electric field can only be measured up to a
681 few kilometres from the thunderstorm.
682 CG and IC flashes produce abrupt changes in the electric field that can be used to detect lightning
683 flashes, and if the field changes are measured at several sites simultaneously, the centroid of the
684 lightning-caused change in the cloud charge can be located. However, locating lightning flashes using
685 changes in the electrostatic field is not a common method.
686 A.3.2 Electromagnetic fields
687 A.3.2.1 General
688 A lightning discharge radiates electromagnetic energy because of the large and rapidly changing
689 currents at the source. This radiation is commonly used to detect and locate lightning using several
690 techniques individually or in common. Annex B describes several techniques that are in use today.
691 By locating IC, CG or both types of lightning, a thunderstorm can be tracked for purposes of warning
692 and lightning damage prevention.
693 A.3.2.2 Detection of IC flashes
694 In a thunderstorm, IC flashes usually appear before the first CG discharge; thus, cloud discharges are
695 commonly used for warning purposes.
696 On average, thunderstorms produce two or three times more IC flashes than CG, and this in turn
697 provides more sources for monitoring and tracking the electrical activity of a thunderstorm.
698 The higher IC activity compared with the CG activity also requires more data processing capacity.
699 There can be tens of thousands of sources of electromagnetic radiation in the very high frequency
700 (VFH) range, and this high rate can limit detections to just a few hundred kilometres.
701 A.3.2.3 Detection of CG flashes
702 Detection of CG flashes is commonly performed in the low or very low frequency range (LF/VLF), and
703 the range is several hundred kilometres in this frequency range.
704 A.3.3 Other parameters useful in lightning detection
705 A.3.3.1 Inter-lightning intervals and lightning rates
706 The times and distances between flashes provide information about the thunderstorm activity.
707 A lightning rate is the number of flashes per time unit, and this parameter is commonly used to
708 describe the lightning activity of a thunderstorm.
709 A.3.3.2 IC to CG ratio
710 The number of IC discharges relative to CG provides information about the lightning activity and type
711 of thunderstorm.
FprEN 50536:2010 – 26 –
712 A.3.3.3 CG polarities
713 Positive flashes are common in winter thunderstorms and in the stratiform regions of mesoscale
714 convective systems (MCS). Moreover, a high percentage of positive CG relative to negative CG may
715 be an indicator of severe weather.
– 27 – FprEN 50536:2010
716 Annex B
717 (informative)
718
719 Thunderstorm detection techniques
720 B.1 Introduction

721 This annex explains the classification of thunderstorm detection techniques. Furthermore it describes
722 the technical methods used in thunderstorm detection and gives guidance in choosing the right type of
723 detector and/or detection system to accommodate the need for lightning information.
724 B.2 Detection techniques and parameters to qualify a sensor

725 B.2.1 General
726 Thunderstorm detectors are classified in relation with the thunderstorm phases depending on the
727 detectable phenomena. However, a thunderstorm detector could detect one or several phenomena.
728 In this part, a description and a brief explanation is given for every class of detector.
729 B.2.2 Class I
730 CLASS I detectors’ purpose is to detect the first sign of a thunderstorm (Phase 1) useful for an early
731 warning to take preventive actions, before the occurrence of any intra-cloud or cloud-to-ground
732 lightning and during all the time when the risk of lightning exists. Detection is conducted by the
733 measurement of the electrostatic field produced by the thunderstorm.
734 The electrification of a thunderstorm or its presence itself produces an alteration of the fair weather
735 electrostatic field. The atmospheric electrostatic field at ground level during fair-weather has a positive
736 value of about 100 V/m to 150 V/m (atmospheric electricity sign convention) in a flat area, as the
737 atmosphere above the Earth is positively charged. Under the electrified cloud of a thunderstorm, the
738 electric field at ground level could reach several kilovolts per metre. Commonly the electrostatic field at
739 ground level is screened from the field produced by the cloud due to the presence of screening layers
740 and hence the electrostatic field usually remains below 10 kV/m.
741 An electric field sensor for detection purposes should have a minimum resolution of 200 V/m and
742 should be able to measure an electric field of at least ± 20 kV/m. Electrostatic field changes during the
743 Initial Phase are relatively slow and sampling of the field every few seconds is sufficient. If for the
744 application of the sensor information of the changes of the field is needed, a minimum sampling rate of
745 one sample per second is recommended.
746 The detector device should provide information about the electric field level. Some devices also could
747 provide information about the field evolution in time.
748 Detectors of Class I are able to detect the presence, or not, of an electrified cloud. However, there is
749 no clear electrostatic field threshold that defines the electrostatic field level at which the first lightning
750 discharges are initiated. The monitoring area is strongly constricted by the rapid decrease of the
751 electrostatic field with distance. Then, the measurement of the electrostatic field should range a
752 maximum of 20 km from the border of the charge region. Because it is dependent on the topological
753 environment, it is used as a local detector.
754 In any case, the manufacturer or the service provider should give the information about the levels and
755 warning methods, as those levels also depend on the conditions at the installation site, when the
756 measurement is affected by local field enhancement.
FprEN 50536:2010 – 28 –
757 B.2.3 Class II
758 Detectors of CLASS II detect intra-clud (IC) and clout-to-ground (CG) flashes (Phases 2 to 4). IC
759 discharges produce a large number of RF sources in the VHF frequency range. Typically, IC
760 discharges are detected and located from measurements in this frequency range (around 100 MHz).
761 A detector for IC flashes should have a detection efficiency in accordance with the needs of the
762 application intended by the user (see Annex E). Since the location of the IC activity is important for
763 preventive actions, the manufacturer or the service provider should give the range of detection, and
764 the location uncertainty. The location uncertainty for CG flashes should be in accordance with the
765 needs of the application intended by the user (see Annex E).
766 Information about detection methods and warnings should be given by the manufacturer or the
767 provider.
768 B.2.4 Class III
769 Detectors of CLASS III detect cloud-to-ground flashes only (Phase 3). Since cloud-to-ground flashes
770 produce significant radiation in the LF frequency range (10 kHz to 500 kHz), typically these types of
771 detectors employ it to detect cloud-to-ground flashes. However other types of cloud-to-ground
772 lightning detectors do exist.
773 A detector for cloud-to-ground flashes should have a flash detection efficiency for the monitoring area
774 higher than 90 %. Since the location of the cloud-to-ground activity is important for preventive actions,
775 the manufacturer or provider should give the range of detection, and the location accuracy. The 50 %
776 location accuracy should be less than 1 km for the monitoring area.
777 Information about employed detection methods and warnings should be given by the manufacturer or
778 the lightning data provider
779 B.2.5 Class IV
780 Detectors of CLASS IV detect CG flashes (Phase 3) but also other electromagnetic pulses with poor
781 capability of discrimination between lightning events and other signal sources (EMI).
782 B.3 Location techniques

783 B.3.1 General
784 Thunderstorm detectors may be divided according to their application in two kinds of location
785 techniques. To determine where a lightning struck, a multi-sensor lightning location system is needed.
786 When only information about general lightning activity and/or a course distance and bearing of a
787 thunderstorm in general is wanted, a single sensor lightning detector may be appropriate.
788 B.3.2 Multi-sensor location techniques
789 There are different kinds of multi-sensor location techniques:
790 1. Magnetic Direction Finder (MDF):
791 The principle of Magnetic Direction Finding is to use two orthogonal magnetic loops measuring
792 the Hx and Hy components of the magnetic field. The magnetic flux into a loop being proportional
793 to the incidence angle, one of the loops will be related to the cosine of the azimuth of the source,
794 while the other will be related to the sine. The ratio of the two providing the tangent of the
795 azimuth.
796 With two or more Magnetic Direction Finders, locations of lightning strikes can be determined by
797 calculating the cross bearing of the azimuths of the direction finders.
– 29 – FprEN 50536:2010
798 2. Time of arrival (TOA):
799 The principle of Time-of-Arrival is to use the delay necessary for a pulse to travel from the source
800 of radiation to the sensors: Closer sensors will see the signal before further ones. The Time-of-
801 Arrival method can be used in the VLF and LF frequency range as well as in VHF frequency
802 range.
803 3. Interferometry (RFI):
804 Interferometry consists in measuring a phase difference between closely spaced antennas.
805 The main difference with Time-of-Arrival is that it can operate on continuous wave and therefore
806 there is no need to identify pulses.
807 4. Optical imaging (OI):
808 Space (satellite)-based sensors are able to detect fast changing optical effects produced by
809 lightning and map them accordingly. This technique is not very accurate but gives the possibility
810 of lightning research over areas where an earth based detection system is not possible, like over
811 the oceans.
812 B.3.3 Single sensor techniques
813 The single sensor techniques are:
814 5. Field strength measurements (FSM):
815 The rise of the electrical field during the build-up of a thunderstorm may be used to give a
816 warning for an upcoming lightning activity. The fast change in field strength that occurs during a
817 lightning strike is used to determine the actual lightning strikes.
818 6. Magnetic direction finder (MDF):
819 The magnetic direction finder technique used in lightning detection networks may also be used as
820 a single sensor system giving the azimuth of occurring lightning strikes, providing it has a
821 technique present to determine the distance roughly by measuring the signal strength and/or the
822 signals waveform.
823 7. RF signal strength measurements (RFM)
824 Measuring the signal strength of the lightning signal on an antenna in itself is not a valid method
825 because of the large variety in lightning current characteristics. Elaborate signal processing and
826 combination with optical detection is able to improve the possibility to determine the distance of a
827 lightning strike significantly. However, the method is, in essence, inaccurate.
828 All available lightning detection techniques have their own application.
829 The location methods 1 to 3 find their use in lightning detection networks for very practical as well as
830 scientific purposes. They are often exploited as commercial networks making the data available to the
831 general public. In the mean time those networks are to be found all over the world.
832 Location method 4 is mostly installed for scientific purposes and installed and owned by universities
833 and governmental organizations.
834 The single sensor techniques also have distinct properties with different applications.
835 Type 5 sensors are useful for early warning at the local level before lightning occurs and over the
836 entire thunderstorm lifecycle.
FprEN 50536:2010 – 30 –
837 Sensors according to type 6 give information on the bearing and distance of actual lightning strikes.
838 They find their users in companies who need accurate nowcasting for safety purposes and who do not
839 want to be dependent on a commercial lightning detection network to provide them with the data
840 needed. However, the users must bear in mind that the information from these sensors is not very
841 accurate, compared with multi-sensor lightning detection networks.
842 Lightning detectors of type 7 may be divided in two levels of quality. The more sophisticated sensors
843 have elaborate signal processing on board, determining the distance of the lightning with some
844 accuracy. Some types also use optical sensors to confirm that the signal detected indeed is related to
845 a lightning flash.
846 The less sophisticated sensors use a simple measurement of the signal strength on a small antenna
847 and have only little signal processing on board, giving only a very crude indication of lightning activity
848 in the local area. They are only fit for purposes of general interest in lightning activity and not for
849 lightning warning purposes whatsoever.
850 B.4 Thunderstorm detectors evaluation

851 For a warning system to be accurate and efficient, it is important that the thunderstorm detector(s)
852 used to elaborate the warning has some level of performance. Several methods can be used in order
853 to verify those characteristics, such as:
854 – theoretical calculations based on the system configuration and detection technique;
855 – laboratory tests;
856 – comparisons between different systems;
857 – experimental validation with instrumented towers or time stamped video or picture recordings;
858 – in-situ validation.
859 B.5 Choosing a thunderstorm detection system

860 According to the risk evaluation presented in Annex C and the preventive actions described in
861 Annex D, it is possible to choose thunderstorm detectors in order to build a TWS. Depending on the
862 warning application and the availability of lightning information, several detection techniques can be
863 suitable. The final decision requires a deep analysis of the warning needs (necessary lead time,
864 acceptable failure to warn and false alarm ratio), the allowed budget and what each detection
865 technique can provide.
866 As an example, a very good description of what has been done for airport safety can be found in
867 reference [4].
– 31 – FprEN 50536:2010
868 Annex C
869 (informative)
870
871 Thunderstorms Warning Systems application examples
872 C.1 Example n° 1 – TELECOMUNICATION TOWER

873 C.1.1 Step 1: Identification of hazardous situations
874 Identify one or several hazardous situations among the different possibilities of Table C.1. In case of a
875 situation not covered in the table, select “Other situations”.
876 Table C.1 ― Identification of hazardous situations
No. Situation
1 People in open areas without an appropriated lightning protected shelter
available (according to EN 62305 series or other standards): outdoor
activities, sports (football, golf, etc.), competitions, crowded events,
farming, ranching or fishing activities, beaches, leisure areas.
2 Safeguard of sensitive goods: computer systems, electrical or electronic
controls, emergency, alarm and safety systems.
4 Structures containing dangerous substances (inflammable, radioactive,
toxic and explosive materials).
5 Basic services whose continuity, quality or fast recovery must be
guaranteed (telecommunications, energy generation, transport and
distribution, sanitary and emergency services).
7 Safety at workplace (activities that imply a risk at workplace in case of a
thunderstorm).
8 Zones that need civil or environmental protection: prevention of forest
fires, etc.
877
FprEN 50536:2010 – 32 –
878 C.1.2 Step 2: Determination of type of loss
879 For each selected situation of Table C.1, evaluate the different losses concerning people (Table C.2),
880 goods (Table C.3), services (Table C.4) and environment (Table C.5) to determine the heaviness
881 degree (I, II, III or 0).
882 Table C.2 ― Loss concerning people

883
884 The loss of human life is not considered in this example.
885 Table C.3 ― Loss concerning goods

No loss 0
886
887 There is a risk of a direct strike to telecommunication equipment and there is also a risk of
888 perturbations induced by nearby lightning.
889 Table C.4 ― Loss concerning services

No loss 0
890
891 Vital equipment can be destroyed by direct and nearby lightning thus interrupting the service.
892 Table C.5 ― Loss concerning environment

No loss 0
893
– 33 – FprEN 50536:2010
894 C.1.3 Step 3: Risk control
895 The loss of human life is not considered in this example. The loss of goods and service due to direct
896 strike cannot be completely eliminated but it is possible to isolate the tower (disconnect from the
897 power network, etc.) in order to limit the risk by nearby lightning in the case that the remaining risk
898 after applying lightning protection according to EN 62305 series or other standards is not acceptable.
899 Table C.6 ― Risk control

(as result of Tables C.4 to C.5)

III Recommended
0 Not necessary
900
901 C.2 Example n° 2 – GOLF COURSE

903 Identify one or several hazardous situations among the different possibilities of Table C.7. In the case
904 of a situation not covered in the table, select “Other situations”.
No Situation
thunderstorm).
fires, etc.
906
FprEN 50536:2010 – 34 –
908 For each selected situation of Table C.7, evaluate the different losses concerning people (Table C.8),
909 goods (Table C.9), services (Table C.10) and environment (Table C.11) to determine the heaviness
910 degree (I, II, III or 0).

912
913 During thunderstorm activity, there is a potential lightning threat for everyone outside in the open area
914 of the golf course. Additional information can be found in reference [7].

No loss 0
916

No loss 0
918

No loss 0
920
– 35 – FprEN 50536:2010
922 The loss concerning people can be reduced by avoiding having people exposed to the lightning threat.

III Recommended
0 Not necessary
924
925 C.3 Example n° 3 – WIND TURBINE FARM (including its maintenance)

927 Identify one or several hazardous situations among the different possibilities of Table C.13. In case of
928 a situation not covered in the table, select “Other situations”.
No Situation
thunderstorm).
fires, etc.
930
FprEN 50536:2010 – 36 –
932 For each selected situation of Table C.13, evaluate the different losses concerning people
933 (Table C.14), goods (Table C.15), services (Table C.16) and environment (Table C.17) to determine
934 the heaviness degree (I, II, III or 0).

936
937 During maintenance operations or installation of wind turbines, workers can be very exposed to
938 lightning threat.

No loss 0
940
941 There is a risk of a direct strike to a wind turbine which can cause severe damages.

No loss 0
943
944 In the case of damage to critical components induced by lightning, the operation of the wind turbine
945 will be stopped.

No loss 0
947
– 37 – FprEN 50536:2010
948 If a blade is rotating when it is struck and destroyed by lightning, there is a risk of projecting debris in
949 the nearby environment.
951 A wind turbine is a basic service whose continuity, quality or fast recovery must be guaranteed but
952 also is a workplace with risk in case of a thunderstorm and both situations have to be analysed (see
953 e.g. also IEC 61400-24:2010, Clause 10). The risk to human life can be reduced by avoiding having
954 workers on the wind turbine during thunderstorms. The risk of damages and service losses due to a
955 direct strike cannot be completely eliminated but it is possible to take preventive actions
956 (disconnection of sensitive equipment, park wind turbine in a safe mode, etc.).

III Recommended
0 Not necessary
958
FprEN 50536:2010 – 38 –
959 Annex D
960 (informative)
961
962 Catalogue of possible recommended preventive actions to be taken
963 Preventive actions resulting in the knowledge of the lightning and/or storm electrification hazard
964 strongly depend on the involved risk situation. Then, these actions should be evaluated and applied in
965 a detailed plan of action.
966 There is a great variety of situations and facilities that can need the implementation of a thunderstorm
967 detection system. Thus, the actions taken from an analysis resulting from the preventive information
968 given by this system must be specifically defined by the final user or by a designer specifically focused
969 on this implementation.
970 For this purpose, what must be taken into account is either the security and emergency plans or the
971 possible technical modifications to be carried out in processes and systems.
972 It must be kept in mind that decisions on preventive actions can involve actions (automatic, manual,
973 acoustic, etc.) systemized into their own processes.
974 In order to give guidance on possible preventive actions, some example directives that could be
975 implemented from the preventive information given by the detection system are listed. These actions
976 have a logical grading depending on the severity of the thunderstorm, which determines the activation
977 level reached by the system:
978 No alert level:
979 – System working normally
980 Level 1 – Alert:
981 – Primary preventive actions, consisting of informative notices as, for example, remote, visual or
982 acoustic messages, etc.
983 – Auxiliary power systems can be activated
984 Level 2 – Emergency:
985 – Secondary preventive actions
986 – Auxiliary power systems activated
987 – Critical and sensitive systems disconnected
988 – Evacuation of exposed zones, to safe areas external metallic structures and proximities of
989 lightning rod facilities
990 Level 3 – Maximum risk

– 39 – FprEN 50536:2010
991 Table D.1 ― Possible preventive steps
Phase of the Level of Steps to take Possible preventive steps

thunderstorm activation
0. Balance No alert – System working normally.
– Warning of the people in charge of

Primary preventive facilities and risky activities.
I. Initial Alert
actions – Possible activation of auxiliary
power systems.
– Activation of feeding auxiliary
power systems.
– Disconnection of sensitive
Secondary systems.
II. Growth Emergency
preventive actions
– Evacuation of exposed zones,
external metallic structures and
proximities of lightning rod
facilities.
III. Mature Maximum risk – System ready for lightning impact.
– Warning of the people in charge of

Primary preventive facilities and risky activities.
IV. Dissipation Alert
actions – Possible activation of auxiliary
power systems.
992
FprEN 50536:2010 – 40 –
Detection D.D. D.D. Detection

system 1 2 N system
Multi-system detection system Single-system detection system
Preventive information
Control centre
No alert level
Primary
preventive Alert Level 1 alarm
actions
Secondary preventive Emergency Level 2 alarm

actions
Maximum risk Level 3 alarm

993
994 Figure D.1 ― Possible preventive steps

– 41 – FprEN 50536:2010
995 Annex E
996 (informative)
997
998 Example of TWS evaluation on a wind turbine site
999 In this example, archived data of CG flashes are used to trigger the warnings and also to evaluate the
1000 efficacy of the alarms by checking what has really occurred at the wind turbine location. Figure E.1
1001 shows the CG lightning activity 5 km around the wind turbine for a period of eight years.
1002
1003 Figure E.1 ― CG lightning activity around the wind turbine for a period of eight years
1004 (a total of 2 480 strokes were reported)
1005 The target is a circular area of 1 km radius around the wind turbine. The surrounding area (SA) is
1006 assumed to be a circle of 5 km radius around the wind turbine (same area as displayed in Figure E.1).
1007 The MA consists also in a circular area around the wind turbine.
1008 In this example the varying parameters are:
1009 – radius of the MA (10 km, 15 km and 20 km);
1010 – triggering criteria (number of flashes and time between flashes);
1011 – dwell time (DT) (10 min, 20 min, 30 min).
1012 All results are presented in Table E.1.

FprEN 50536:2010 – 42 –
1013 Table E.1 ― Results of TWS evaluation based on archived lightning date
1014 for an 8-year period (2000 to 2007), when some of the key parameters
1015 (size of MA, trigger parameters and dwell time) were varied
Number of flashes
Number of alarms
Dwell Time (DT)
to trigger alarm
Time between
strokes for
Radius MA
in minutes
triggering
(FA + EA)
POD10
FTWR
FTW
FAR
EA
FA
20 2 5 30 285 102 1 183 64 % 1% 89 %
15 2 5 30 220 102 2 118 54 % 2% 85 %
10 2 5 30 145 102 4 43 30 % 4% 73 %
20 1 5 30 571 102 1 469 82 % 1% 93 %
20 2 5 30 285 102 1 183 64 % 1% 89 %
20 3 5 30 229 102 2 127 55 % 2% 93 %
20 5 5 30 165 102 5 63 38 % 5% 88 %
20 2 2 30 264 102 2 162 61 % 2% 93 %
20 2 4 30 281 102 1 179 64 % 1% 89 %
20 2 5 20 321 102 1 219 68 % 1% 89 %
20 2 5 10 420 102 2 318 76 % 2% 86 %
POD10 is the percentage of alarms delivered with a lead time of more than 10 min.
1016
– 43 – FprEN 50536:2010
1017 Bibliography
1018 [1] Vladimir A. Rakov, Martin A. Uman. Lightning: Physics and Effects. Ed. Cambridge University
1019 Press, 2003
1020 [2] H.D. Betz, U. Schumann, P. Laroche. Lightning: principles, instruments and applications: review
1021 of modern lightning research. Springer, 2008
1022 [3] Thunderstorm threat! What can I do? (European COST Action P-18)
1023 [4] ACRP Report 8: Lightning-Warning Systems for Use by Airports. ISBN: 978-0-309-11752-4,
1024 published by US Transportation Research Board in 2008
1025 [5] IEC 61400-24:2010, Wind turbines ― Part 24: Lightning protection
1026 [6] CIGRE Brochure 376 “Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Parameters Derived from Lightning Location
1027 Systems – The Effects of System Performance”, Task Force C4.404, accepted for publication
1028 2009
st
1029 [7] R&A Rules Limited and The United States Golf Association, Rules of Golf, 31 Edition, 2008
1030

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FINAL DRAFT

EUROPEAN STANDARD FprEN 50536

Protection against lightning -

Protection contre la foudre - Blitzschutz -

It has been drawn up by CLC/TC 81X.

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels

Project: 16035 Ref. No. FprEN 50536:2010 E

7 The following dates are proposed:

– latest date by which the existence of the amendment

– latest date by which the amendment has to be implemented

– latest date by which the national standards conflicting

55 Figure 1 ― Examples of different target shapes ................................................................................... 14

70 Table 1 ― Lightning detector properties ............................................................................................... 13

108 – power outages and unplanned interruptions of production processes;

117 Lightning is also one of the causes of fires.

136 1.1 Object

140 1.2 Scope

148 The scope of this document is providing:

150 – a classification of thunderstorm detection devices and properties;

151 – guidelines for alarming methods;

152 – a procedure to determine the thunderstorm information necessity;

153 – some examples of possible preventive actions (only for information).

158 – occupational health and safety prevention;

161 – prevention of losses in operations and industrial processes;

164 – prevention in determined environments or activities with special danger of electrostatic

169 – infrastructures: ports, airports, railroads, motorways and cableways;

177 c) satellite and radar thunderstorm detection techniques;

180 2 Normative references

184 EN 62305 series, Protection against lightning (IEC 62305 series)

185 3 Terms and definitions

197 lightning flash to earth

338 4 Thunderstorm phases and detectable phenomena foralarming

339 4.1 Introduction

342 4.2 Phase 1 – Initial phase (Cumulus stage)

348 4.3 Phase 2 – Growth phase

355 4.4 Phase 3 – Mature phase

357 4.5 Phase 4 – Dissipation phase

360 5 Classification of thunderstorm detection devices and their properties

370 – phase 1: initial phase;

371 – phase 2: growth phase;

372 – phase 3: mature phase;

373 – phase 4: dissipation phase.

380 The classes are explained in more detail in B.1.

382 – DC: static and quasi static electrical fields;

383 – VLF: very low frequencies (3 kHz - 30 kHz);

384 – LF: low frequencies (30 kHz - 300 kHz);

385 – VHF: very high frequencies (30 MHz - 300 MHz).

388 – MDF: magnetic direction finder;

389 – TOA: time of arrival;

390 – RFI: interferometry;

391 – FSM: field strength measurements;

392 – RF: radio frequency signal strength measurements.

393 NOTE This list is not exhaustive.

394 These detection techniques are described in some detail in B.2.

397 Table 1 ― Lightning detector properties

Technique Physical detectable Frequency Phase/s Main Secondary Typical Application

401 6 Alarm method

402 6.1 General

412 The setup of an alarm includes three steps:

413 – areas definitions;

414 – alarm triggering criteria;

415 – alarm information delivery.

418 6.2 Areas

a) Single point b) Arbitrary shape c) Including services