WXLINE Strike Guard, User Manual

Page: 13 / 37

SECTION 5
STRIKE GUARD LIGHTNING DATA
RECEIVER
A. THE STRIKE GUARD LIGHTNING DATA RECEIVER
The Strike Guard Lightning Data Receiver (LDR) receives serial data from the Strike
Guard Lightning Sensor via a non-conducting, plastic fiber-optic communications link.
The LDR decodes lightning and status messages and provides the logic and timing
needed to give audible and visual lightning and status information and to provide
contact-closure signaling of external equipment. The LDR was designed to be easy to
install and easy to use with a short learning curve for set-up and use.
The LDR was designed for maximum reliability during local thunderstorms when
lightning-caused power disturbances, power failures, and lightning surge currents tend to
compromise less robust commercial equipment.
NOTE
Unlike the Strike Guard Lightning Sensor, the LDR is not
weatherproof. The LDR is specified to operate in a normal office
environment. Subjecting the LDR to high humidity, high
temperature, insect and rodent habitat will shorten useful product
life significantly.
B. LIGHTNING DATA RECEIVER POWER LED
The LED labeled POWER blinks blue when the LDR is running on commercial AC
power. When there is a failure of commercial AC power or when the DC power supply
used with the LDR fails or is disconnected, the LDR will instantly revert to running on
internal batteries at which time the POWER LED will blink red. An LDR with fresh
alkaline C-cells will run for hundreds of hours.
LOW BATTERY INDICATION AND PROTECTION FEATURES
The 4 alkaline C-cells used for battery backup of the Lightning Data Receiver will provide
more than one hundred hours of hold up time. However, when the batteries are
discharged below a safe operating level, all relay operations are inhibited, as are all
contact-closure signaling of other equipment such as a WAVE Transmitter. Critical
circuit functions, relay states and proper relay operation cannot be assured at low battery
voltage especially in a lightning environment with fluctuations of commercial AC power.
When the Receiver Battery Low LED blinks red on the front panel, the LDR may continue
to function normally in some respects but all relay operation will be inhibited. Proper
operation of a LDR in a lightning environment can only be assured with an adequate
supply of back up battery power. Relay operation is inhibited when the LDR Battery Low
LED blinks red even when there is normal AC power available.
Strike Guard Lightning Warning System
13
DEC 2013