Biral BTD-200 Lightning Warning System
The Biral BTD-200 is a professional-grade and cutting-edge lightning detection and warning system designed for early and reliable alerts of nearby lightning activity. Unlike traditional systems, the BTD-200 detects electrostatic changes in the atmosphere, allowing it to issue pre-strike warnings even before the first lightning flash occurs. With a detection range of up to 35 km, the system distinguishes between cloud-to-ground, intra-cloud, and cloud-to-cloud lightning, ensuring high accuracy with minimal false alarms. It operates independently of the internet, making it ideal for remote or critical infrastructure environments. The system features user-friendly Lightning Works software, modular expandability (e.g., sirens, SMS/email alerts), and compliance with international safety standards (EN50536 / IEC62793). Its low-maintenance design and plug-and-play installation make it suitable for schools, stadiums, industrial sites, and other outdoor facilities.
Description
Warn of overhead lightning risk — before the first strike
The Biral BTD-200 is a complete, modular lightning warning system designed to work out-of-the-box and grow with your site. A weatherproof sensor sits outside, an indoor PC runs the supplied Lightning Works software, and the system alerts operators — visually, and optionally via a high-powered siren or SMS — whenever lightning enters one of your configured warning zones.
Why overhead lightning is the real risk
Roughly 90% of thunderstorms are already producing lightning by the time they reach 20 km from your site, which gives a competent detector plenty of time to issue an advance warning. The remaining 10% are the dangerous ones: storms where the first flash occurs nearby or directly overhead, with no prior strike to detect.
Detectors that only listen for lightning radio emissions can’t help with this 10% — by the time they trigger, the strike has already happened. The BTD-200 closes that gap by measuring the strong atmospheric electric field that builds up before a storm cell discharges, so it can warn even when no flash has yet occurred.
Two detection methods, one sensor
- Distant lightning — detects cloud-to-cloud, cloud-to-ground and intra-cloud flashes up to 35 km (22 miles) with 1 km range resolution.
- Overhead electric field — senses the strong electric field and charged precipitation that precede a first strike, so the system can warn of a developing storm cell before lightning has occurred.
Key features
- Detects all forms of lightning — cloud-to-cloud, cloud-to-ground and intra-cloud
- 35 km (22 miles) detection range with 1 km resolution
- Warns of overhead lightning before the first discharge by sensing strong electric fields and charged precipitation
- Highly immune to radio interference — very low false-alarm rate (< 2%)
- EN 50536:2011+A1:2012 Class 1 detector; IEC 62793 Class A
- Three volt-free relay outputs (Alert, Warning, Self-test) for direct connection to sounders, beacons or SCADA
- RS422 / RS485 wired serial connectivity
- IP66-rated, virtually maintenance-free, supplied with universal mains adaptor (9–30 Vdc)
Included Software
Lightning Works — graphical alarm software
Every BTD-200 ships with the Lightning Works server software, which gives operators a real-time map view of detected lightning relative to user-configurable warning zones around the site.
- Multi-user — up to 5 simultaneous users (1 admin, 4 view stations)
- Configurable warning zones with map overlay
- Real-time warning state display
- Sensor self-test / health status
- Automatic event logging for post-storm review
Optional modules
Lightning Direction Finder
Hardware add-on that calculates the bearing of each detected flash so the operator sees both range and direction on the map. Lets you track storm movement and confidently issue an “all clear” after the storm has passed.
Lightning Works Messenger
Optional software module that automatically pushes warning messages via SMS and email to a pre-defined recipient list — site managers, safety officers, supervisors, or staff working outdoors. Unlimited recipients (requires an internet SMS gateway contract).
Wide-Area Sounder
Connect the BTD-200 directly to a high-powered siren (we typically pair with a tsunami-class siren for stadium-grade outdoor coverage) so the system can automatically alert the entire site without operator intervention.
Accessories
Mounting pole with flange base, wall-mounting bracket, additional power and data cables (per metre), earthing kits, and Direction Finder hardware.
Riajati supplies a complete installation: site assessment, supply, mounting hardware, commissioning and ongoing support.
Specifying the BTD-200?
Talk to our lightning systems team
Site assessment, supply, installation coordination, commissioning and ongoing support.
sales@rj.my →Installations
The Biral BTD-200 is deployed across stadiums, golf courses, oil & gas terminals, solar farms, airports and schools in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
See our full reference installation list →Specifications
| Measurement | |
|---|---|
| Lightning detection | Cloud-to-cloud, cloud-to-ground and intra-cloud lightning discharges; thunderstorm activity for advance warning; charged precipitation and strong electric field |
| Detection range | 35 km (22 miles) |
| Range resolution | 1 km |
| Detection efficiency | 95% for a single lightning flash, 99% for a storm with 2 flashes, 99.9% for a storm with 3 flashes (within 35 km) |
| False alarm rate | < 2% |
| Maximum flash rate | 120 per minute |
| Maximum update rate | 2 seconds |
| Outputs | |
| User computer / Base Control Box | Wired serial connection (RS422) |
| Wide Area Sounder | Wired serial connection (RS485) |
| Relays | 3 relays with volt-free contacts (Alert, Warning, Self-test). All relays: 16 Vac / 35 VDC / 5 A |
| Connection method | Screw terminals |
| Power Requirements | |
| Supply voltage | 9 to 30 Vdc, or 110/115 / 230/240 Vac |
| Power consumption | Less than 5 W |
| Environmental | |
| Operating temperature | −20°C to +50°C |
| Relative humidity | 0 – 100% |
| Protection rating | IP66 |
| Wind speed | 60 m/s |
| Altitude | −200 m to 2,000 m (−656 ft to 6,561 ft) |
| Shock and vibration | Land-based fixed installation |
| Weight | 4.3 kg (9.5 lbs), sensor only |
| Certification & Compliance | |
| CE certified | EMC compliance with EN 61326-1:2013 (industrial immunity, domestic emissions) |
| Environmental | RoHS and WEEE compliant |
| Lightning detector | EN 50536:2011+A1:2012 Class 1 detector |
| Performance | IEC 62793 Class A detector |
Source: Senseca UK (Biral) BTD-200 product specifications.
