Boltek EFM-100 User Manual v.1
BOLTEK CORPORATION
Lightning Detection
EFM-100 Atmospheric Electric Field Monitor
EFM100-1000120-060414
Installation/Operators Guide
B O L T E K LI G H T N I N G D E T E C T I O N
EFM-100 Atmospheric Electric Field Monitor
Disclaimer
EFM-100 lightning data is only approximate and should not be used for safety applications. Strike and
storm locations indicated and alarm statuses may be erroneous and should not be used to safeguard
personnel, equipment or data.
Neither Boltek Corporation nor its affiliates shall be liable to the purchaser of this product or third parties
for damages, losses, costs, or expenses incurred by purchaser or third parties as a result of use, misuse,
accident, or abuse.
Notwithstanding the above Boltek Corp’s liability shall not exceed the purchase price of the equipment.
THIS EQUIPMENT IS NOT TO BE USED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES
USE OF THIS PRODUCT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE ACCEPTANCE OF BOLTEK’S STANDARD TERMS AND
CONDITIONS (ENCLOSED AND AVAILABLE AT WWW.BOLTEK.COM). IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO BE
BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS PLEASE RETURN THIS PRODUCT TO THE PLACE OF
PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND.
2004-2014 Boltek Corporation
4 Stonebridge Dr. Unit 2
Port Colborne, ON. L3K 5V5
Canada
Email: info@boltek.com
Web: www.boltek.com
Phone (905) 734-8045 • Fax (905) 734-9049
FCC Compliance Statement
For United States Users
This equipment is tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause interference to radio and television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment on and off,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures.
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
WARNING
The connection of a non-shielded equipment interface cable to this equipment will invalidate the FCC Certification
of this device and may cause interference levels which exceed the limits established by the FCC for this equipment.
It is the responsibility of the user to use a shielded interface cable with this device. If this equipment has more than
one interface connector, do not leave cables connected to unused interfaces. Changes or modifications not
expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
For Canadian Users
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment
Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la class B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le materiel brouilleur du
Canada.
CAUTIONS
EFM-100 lightning data is only approximate and should not be used for safety
applications. Strike and storm locations indicated and alarm statuses may be
erroneous and should not be used to safeguard personnel, equipment or data.
Install the EFM-100 Field Mill on a calm clear day when no thunderstorms are
expected.
If you are not experienced in safe antenna installation using appropriate safety
equipment you should refer installation to an experienced antenna installer.
(See Television Antennas in the Yellow Pages)
LIGHTNING HAZARD
EPM-1 connections are not optically isolated from the roof mounted field mill.
Dangerous voltages may occur should lightning strike at or near the field mill.
IMPORTANT
The EFM-100 field mill needs to be grounded for proper operation and for lightning
and electrical safety. Connect the field mill green ground wire and the field mill
mounting hardware to your building central ground through a suitable sized
grounding wire according to your local electrical code.
ELECTROCUTION HAZARD
You can be killed if the field mill or its mounting hardware comes in contact with an
electrical power line. WATCH FOR AND STAY AWAY FROM ALL OVERHEAD WIRES.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................1
THEORY OF OPERATION .........................................................................................2
INSTALLATION .........................................................................................................5
EFM-100 DISPLAY SOFTWARE INSTALLATION .....................................................6
EFA-20 USB DRIVER INSTALLATION ...................................................................6
HARDWARE INSTALLATION ....................................................................................7
CHOOSING AN OUTDOOR MOUNTING LOCATION ...................................................7
EPM-1 POWER MODULE ........................................................................................9
ANALOG OUTPUT ................................................................................................. 10
EFA-10 FIBER OPTIC ADAPTER .......................................................................... 11
EFA-20 FIBER OPTIC ADAPTER .......................................................................... 11
ST FIBER OPTIC CONNECTORS ........................................................................... 12
CALCULATING A PRECISE SENSITIVITY VALUE ................................................... 14
GROUNDING DETAIL................................ ............................................................. 16
CONFIGURING THE SOFTWARE ......................................................................... 19
EFM OPTIONS: GENERAL ................................ .................................................... 19
EFM OPTIONS: HIGH FIELD ALARM .................................................................... 21
EFM OPTIONS: VERY HIGH FIELD ALARM .......................................................... 22
EFM OPTIONS: LIGHTNING ALARM ..................................................................... 24
EFM OPTIONS: DELTA ALARM ............................................................................ 26
EFM OPTIONS: DATA LOGGING .......................................................................... 28
EFM OPTIONS: DATA SHARING........................................................................... 29
EFM OPTIONS: ALERTS ....................................................................................... 30
OPERATION ............................................................................................................. 33
MAINTENANCE ....................................................................................................... 39
TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................................................................. 41
EFM-100 DATA FORMAT ......................................................................................... 43
ELECTRIC FIELD SENTENCE ................................................................................. 43
SPECIFICATIONS..................................................................................................... 47
Table of Figures
Figure 1: Electric Field Mill at Ground Level
Figure 2: Intensification of Electric Field
Figure 3: Field Mill Block Diagram
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Figure 4: EFM-100 Connection Diagram
Figure 5: A poor choice of mounting locations
Figure 6: An excellent choice of mounting locations
Figure 7: EPM-1 Power Module Connectors
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Figure 8: EPM-1 Voltmeter Connections – Differential (Preferred
Connection)
Figure 9: EPM-1 Voltmeter Connections – Single Ended
Figure 10: EFA-10 Fiber Optic Adapter
Figure 11: EFA-20 Fiber Optic Adapter
Figure 12: Female Fiber Optic Connector
Figure 13: Male Fiber Optic Connector
Figure 14: EFM-100 Field Mill Connections
Figure 15: Sensitivity Plugs
Figure 16: Correcting a Field Mill using a Reference Field Mill
Figure 17: Field Mill Grounding Detail
Figure 18: EFM Options – General
Figure 19: EFM Options – High Field Alarm
Figure 20: EFM Options – Very High Field Alarm
Figure 21: EFM Options – Lightning Alarm
Figure 22: EFM Options - Delta Alarm
Figure 23: EFM Options – Data Logging
Figure 24: EFM Options – Data Sharing
Figure 25: EFM Options – Email & SMS Alerts
Figure 26: Outgoing email server settings
Figure 27: SMS Modem Configuration
Figure 28: SMS Gateway Settings
Figure 29: EFM-100 Software Display
Figure 30: Approaching Thundercloud
Figure 31: Increasing Field due to Approaching Thundercloud
Figure 32: Thundercloud Directly Overhead
Figure 33: Electric Field Polarity Reversal
Figure 34: Departing Thundercloud
Figure 35: End of Storm Oscillation
Figure 36: Step Changes in Field Magnitude Indicate Lightning
Figure 37: Precipitation Noise
Figure 38: Field Mill Cleaning
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C H A P T E R 1 - I N T R O D U C T I O N
Chapter
1
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of a Boltek EFM-100 Electric Atmospheric Electric
Field Monitor. The EFM-100 is a low cost, high quality atmospheric electric field monitor
which uses your personal computer to display and record data. The EFM-100 not only
detects nearby lightning but can also detect the high electric field conditions which
preceded lightning.
EFM-100 lightning data is only approximate and should not be used for
safety applications. Strike and storm locations indicated and alarm
statuses may be erroneous and should not be used to safeguard personnel,
equipment or data.
Up to four field mills can be monitored using the included software. Field mills can be
directly connected to the display computer (USB or COM port) or connected to a remote
computer with data transmitted over a network.
Your EFM-100 package should contain:
1 EFM-100 field mill
1 fiber optic cable
Standard length 100 feet (30 meters)
Optionally 150 feet (45 meters) or 200 feet (60 meters)
1 UTP power cable
Standard length 100 feet (30 meters)
Optionally 150 feet (45 meters) or 200 feet (60 meters)
1 EFA-10 fiber optic adapter
1 EFA-20 fiber optic adapter
1 DB-9 male to DB-9 female RS232 cable
1 USB cable
1 EPM-1 power module
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C H A P T E R 1 - I N T R O D U C T I O N
1 AC wall adapter power supply
120VAC to 12VDC for North America
220VAC to 12VDC for Europe
1 field mill grounding wire
6 sensitivity plugs (0.75X, 0.63X, 0.5X, 0.33X, 0.25X, 0.2X)
1 mast (¾” NPT X 6”)
1 mounting flange
1 CDROM containing Windows software and USB drivers
1 user manual (this is it)
Unpack your EFM-100 and make sure all the parts are included.
Theory of Operation
Electric fields develop wherever there is a difference in electric potential. If the electric
field gets high enough you can feel your hair stand on end (if this happens outdoors during
a thunderstorm crouch down with your feet together as you are about to be struck by
lightning.) An electric field is what attracts your hair to a charged comb or a charged
balloon.
Electric field is measured in Volts per meter (1 meter = 3.28 feet.) The electric fields which
accompany thunderstorms normally measure in the thousands of Volts per meter, usually
abbreviated to kV/m. Lightning can be detected as a sudden change in the electric field.
The electric charge contained in a thundercloud also generates an electric field. This field
can be measured on the ground
2
C H A P T E R 1 - I N T R O D U C T I O N
For an accurate electric field reading the field mill needs to be mounted flush with the
ground. Mounting the field mill flush with the ground is not practical however as water,
dirt, insects, etc will collect around the sense electrodes and contaminate the electrode
insulators.
Figure 1: Electric Field Mill at Ground Level
Mounting the electric field mill above the ground surface will enhance the electric field
resulting than an incorrect high reading. Sensitivity Plugs are provided to reduce the
sensitivity of your field mill and compensate for the higher field mill readings.
Figure 2: Intensification of Electric Field
3
C H A P T E R 1 - I N T R O D U C T I O N
The EFM-100’s electric field mill senses electric field by repeated exposing and shielding a
series of sense electrodes.
An electric field mill uses a mechanical chopper to alternately shield and expose several
sense plates to an electric field. When the sense plates are exposed to the electric field an
electric charge is drawn from ground to the plates through a sense resistor. When the
sense plates are shielded from the field the charge flows back to ground, again through the
sense resistor. This moving charge is an electric current which is measured as an AC
voltage across the sense resistor. The size of the voltage is proportional to the size of the
electric field applied to the plates.
Figure 3: Field Mill Block Diagram
Charge flowing onto and off of the sense electrodes will develop a voltage across the sense
resistor. This voltage is amplified and fed into an analog switch along with an out of phase
version of the signal.
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C H A P T E R 2 - I N S T A L L A T I O N
Chapter
2
Installation
Connect and test your EFM-100 on the ground before permanently mounting the sensor
unit. Install the software on your computer and connect the field mill as shown below.
The field mill should respond to charged objects brought near it. Most plastic objects can
be easily charged by rubbing them on your clothes.
Figure 4: EFM-100 Connection Diagram
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C H A P T E R 2 - I N S T A L L A T I O N
EFM-100 Display Software Installation
Insert the provided EFM-100 Software CD into your CD-ROM drive. The setup program
should start automatically. If the setup program does not start automatically you can start
it manually by clicking on Start…Run…, type d:setup.exe then click OK.
Once the software is installed you can run the EFM-100 display software by clicking on
Start…All Programs...Boltek…EFM-100 Electric Field Monitor.
EFA-20 USB Driver Installation
1) Plug the square end of the USB cable into the EFA-20, and the other end of the
cable into an available USB port on a Laptop or PC.
2) Windows should automatically install the driver if there is an internet connection.
If the “Found New Hardware Wizard” appeared in step 1 or there is no active
internet connection:
a) Click Cancel if Found New Hardware Wizard window pops up.
b) Insert EFM-100 Software CD-ROM and Open Computer (or My Computer) and
go into CD-ROM Drive. Open USB_DRIVER folder and run
EFA20_USB_Driver_Install.exe
c) Click Yes (or Continue) if Allow Changes to computer message pops up.
d) When Driver Setup window appears, click Next
e) Browse for a different installation folder or leave default folder then click Install
f) Setup will extract some files then click Next when USB Driver Installer window
appears.
g) Read End User Agreement then select "I accept this EULA" and click Next
h) After the two drivers (BOLTEK CDM Driver Package & FTDI CDM Driver
Package) have been successfully installed, click Finish
i) Click Close on Driver setup window, and installation is complete.
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C H A P T E R 2 - I N S T A L L A T I O N
Hardware Installation
The EFM-100 field mill mounts on a ¾” NPT (National Pipe Thread) threaded pipe (Note
that ¾” NPT pipe measures 1” outside diameter)
A short length of ¾” NPT threaded pipe and a ¾” NPT mounting flange are provided for
mounting the field mill on a horizontal surface. Longer lengths of threaded pipe are
available at your local hardware store. Antenna mounting tripods are available at your local
Radio Shack store or your local television antenna installer (see Television Antennas in
your Yellow Pages).
Install the EFM-100 Field Mill on a calm clear day when no thunderstorms
are expected.
Your local antenna installer can do a safe and professional field mill installation and can
also ensure that the field mill is properly grounded.
If you are not experienced in safe antenna installation using appropriate safety
equipment you should refer installation to an experienced antenna installer.
(See Television Antennas in the Yellow Pages)
Choosing an Outdoor Mounting Location
If possible choose a mounting location for your field mill which will provide easy access
for maintenance. While your field mill should run for many years with little or no
maintenance, cleaning or de-icing may occasionally become necessary. A location which is
easy to access can make this a much easier and safer task.
The choice of a mounting location can affect the operation of the field mill. In general,
higher is better.
ELECTROCUTION HAZARD
You can be killed if the field mill or its mounting hardware comes in
contact with an electrical power line. WATCH FOR AND STAY AWAY
FROM ALL OVERHEAD WIRES.
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C H A P T E R 2 - I N S T A L L A T I O N
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
+ + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + +
Mounting the field mill close to tall objects will result low readings as the tall object will
shield the field mill sensor.
Figure 5: A poor choice of mounting locations
Avoid mounting the field mill in a location where it will be shielded by buildings, tree, or
other tall objects. Mount your field mill with similar considerations given to an
anemometer.
Figure 6: An excellent choice of mounting locations
8
C H A P T E R 2 - I N S T A L L A T I O N
EPM-1 Power Module
The EPM-1 power module is a connection point for sending DC power up to the field mill
and connecting to analog signals from the field mill.
Figure 7: EPM-1 Power Module Connectors
Field Mill Power Cable Connector
Connect the black cable from the EPM-1 Power Module’s field mill power connector to
the field mill power connector. The cable supplies 12VDC to the field mill and carries the
analog output signals back to the EPM-1. See the Lightning Hazard caution in the EPM-1
Analog Output section of this manual.
Power Supply Connector
Connect the provided 12VDC power supply to the EPM-1’s power supply connector.
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C H A P T E R 2 - I N S T A L L A T I O N
Analog Output
Analog output is available on the EPM-1 Power Module. Output voltage is 1V per kV/m
differential, ranging from +20V corresponding to +20kV/m to -20V corresponding to
-20kV/m. Note that EPM-1 connections are directly connected to the field mill and a
lightning hazard exists at those connections.
LIGHTNING HAZARD
EPM-1 connections are not optically isolated from the roof mounted field
mill. Dangerous voltages may occur should lightning strike at or near the
field mill.
Figure 8: EPM-1 Voltmeter Connections – Differential (Preferred Connection)
If a differential connection is not possible a single-ended connection may be made.
Figure 9: EPM-1 Voltmeter Connections – Single Ended
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