Role in RTL3D
Six sensor sets measure the surface electric field across Strait of Malacca. Records validate 3D charge imaging and flag electrification before the first strike.
Sensor platform
Inverted electric field mills (EFM-100 class) with OTOWA Electric support for calibration, installation, and site lightning protection.
What is measured?
Vertical field in kV/m. Thundercloud charge separation builds the gradient; a return stroke appears as a sudden step change in the time series.
How it works
Four steps from cloud charge to network alert.
Sensor specifications
- Field range
- −20 to +20 kV/m
- Storm band
- −5 to +5 kV/m
- Accuracy
- 5% ± 0.05 kV/m
- Response
- 0.1 s
- Resolution
- 0.01 kV/m
- Reach
- 0–38 km
- Baseline
- ~0.1 kV/m
- Temperature
- −40 to +60 °C
- Data link
- RS-485 / fibre
- Mount
- Inverted (all-weather)
Scientific context
- Vertical potential gradient is the primary surface quantity in atmospheric electricity
- Field trends reveal electrification before the first strike
- Sudden changes mark CG strokes; sustained high fields indicate ongoing charge separation
- Multi-site maps track storm charge advection across the Straits of Malacca region