TerraStreamer®
Early Streamer Emission Terminals (ESE)

TerraStreamer Early Streamer Emitter Lightning Protection System surgeALLTEC Corporation is proud to offer its line of Early Streamer Emission terminals for structural lightning protection. The TerraStreamer® ESE utilizes advanced electronics to provide lightning protection to facilities that would otherwise be difficult or cost prohibitive to protect by conventional means.

The TerraStreamer® ESE Lightning Terminal is an externally mounted, proactive, structural lightning protection device and is designed to activate itself in the moments directly preceding an imminent direct strike. The installation of a TerraStreamer® ESE Terminal combines the best advantages of two systems: the direct path to ground of a conventional lightning protection system, and state-of-the-art ESE technology employed in the TerraStreamer’s internal design. These combined advantages ensure that the TerraStreamer® ESE System provides a secure zone of protection for large structures or open areas.

The TerraStreamer® ESE terminal is designed and constructed with the latest advanced electronics circuitry encased in a lightweight and unobtrusive stainless steel housing for durability and long service life.

The ESE Principles

Early Streamer Emitter Protection Theory

The principle of operation for ESE terminals is to create an upward propagating streamer earlier than conventional air terminals or other objects on the earth. TerraStreamer® does this by collecting and storing ground charge during the initial phase of a thunderstorm development.

ESE Tiggering Times groundingOnce a thunderstorm begins creating downward step leaders, the ambient electric field intensity in the area of the ESE terminal increases. When this electric field intensity reaches a preset level, it triggers the terminal to release the stored ground charge, forming an upward streamer microseconds earlier than other objects in the immediate area.

This development of an upward streamer earlier in time and space ensures that the TerraStreamer® ESE terminal should be the target of the developing lightning strike. The selection of the TerraStreamer® model, placement, and mounting height above the protected area all factor into formulas calculating the dimensions of the protection area.

ESE Protection Radius

Early Streamer Emitter Protection Radius

ESE Protection Area Radius lightning rod installationThe figures and tables provided in this section are provided using the NF C 17-102 standard. The standard protection radius Rp of the TerraStreamer® is linked (according to NFC17-102 1995 standard, to ∆T as given left) to the protection levels I, II, or III (as calculated in Annex B of NFC17-102) and to the height of the TerraStreamer® above the protected structure (H, defined by NFC17-102 as a minimum of 2m).

Protection Areas

ESE Protection Radius Illustration lightning protection installation

 
H(m)
TSP 20
Rp
TSP 30
Rp
TSP 40
Rp
TSP 50
Rp
TSP 60
Rp
Level I
2
15
20
25
30
32
3
23
29
37
45
48
4
31
40
50
59
64
5
39
50
62
73
79
6
40
50
62
74
79
8
40
51
63
74
79
10
41
51
63
74
79
Level II
2
21
26
32
37
37
3
31
39
48
54
54
4
42
52
63
73
73
5
54
66
80
92
92
6
54
66
80
92
92
8
56
68
81
93
93
10
57
69
82
94
94
Level III
2
24
29
36
41
44
3
35
43
52
60
64
4
49
59
71
80
86
5
61
74
88
101
107
6
62
74
89
102
107
8
63
76
90
103
108
10
65
77
91
104
109

 

Alltec has developed the TerraStreamer® product according to internationally recognized standards. However, Alltec does not make any specific performance guarantees as no lightning protection system can be 100% effective.