Lightning and Wind vs. Weather Sensors

Wind and lightning damage are the most common forms of meteorological sensor damage. Protecting your valuable sensors from damage is probably high on your priority list. 99% of wind damage comes from flying debris, branches, sand, rocks, and hail which imparts physical damage to sensitive sensor components. EMC energy from nearby lightning strikes destroys electronics if not properly protected. An example of a properly protected sensor is the MeteoWind® anemometer whose EMC tests results can be downloaded here: Lightning Protection Certification (EMC test results). Direct lightning strikes destroy everything they encounter and can be prevented by properly placed and well grounded lightning rods.

Lightning is a force of nature and wind helps create the energy in lightning. Air molecules moving past each other in the wind loose electrons to the ground, rain droplets or flying sand and dust to create spectacular light shows between the clouds or the ground. The energy in lightning is immense. It takes about 3 million volts for lightning to jump 1 m (3 ft). No weather station can survive a direct hit of such large amounts of energy. Even a near miss has enough energy to damage sensitive sensor components. Thus lightning protection is of utmost importance to protect sensor equipment. Lightning rods protect equipment in a 45 degree downwind cone underneath their tip. All BARANI DESIGN Technologies instruments (anemometers, weather stations) are protected from electrical surges that may result from near by lightning strikes.

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