BS EN IEC 62793-2020 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS EN IEC 62793-2020 — Thunderstorm warning systems — Protection against lightning. This designation indicates a national adoption (STB) of the British adoption of the European / International text (BS EN IEC 62793:2020 / IEC 62793:2020). The standard defines characteristics, alarm logic, performance evaluation and application guidance for fixed thunderstorm warning systems (TWS) used to implement lightning-hazard preventive measures. It applies to single sensors and to sensor networks (for example lightning location systems) and describes detector properties, alarm timelines, installation, maintenance and testing requirements, with informative application guidance in annexes.

Abstract

IEC 62793:2020 (adopted as EN IEC and as BS EN IEC 62793:2020) is the second edition technical revision that replaces the earlier edition. It establishes requirements and recommendations for the design, operation and evaluation of thunderstorm warning systems to reduce lightning risk. Significant updates in the 2020 edition include removal of portable devices from the scope, reorganisation and clarification of alarm timelines and annex material, and a new normative test annex for detector testing. Informative annexes provide monitoring techniques, recommended preventive actions, example evaluations and an application guide for common use cases.

General information

• Status: Current / Active (national adoptions in force; second edition published 2020).
• Publication date: IEC base publication: 21 September 2020; CENELEC / EN adoption October–November 2020; BSI publication/adoption as BS EN IEC 62793:2020: 3 November 2020. (STB national adoption date may vary by national body.)
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) — base document; adopted by CENELEC/BSI as EN IEC / BS EN IEC 62793:2020; referenced here as STB adoption of BS EN IEC 62793-2020.
• ICS / categories: 29.020 — Electrical engineering in general; 91.120.40 — Lightning protection.
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (2020).
• Number of pages: IEC PDF: 43 pages (IEC layout); national EN/BS national publications typically show ~50 pages depending on formatting.

Scope

The standard specifies characteristics of thunderstorm warning systems (TWS) used to implement preventive measures against lightning. It covers detection techniques and detector/network properties, alarm methods (zones and timelines), installation, maintenance, performance evaluation and typical TWS applications. The document applies to fixed (non‑portable) detectors and networks; it does not cover lightning protection installations (see IEC 62305 series), other meteorological hazards (rain, hail, wind), or satellite- and radar-based thunderstorm location systems when excluded by national application rules. Normative test methods for detectors are provided in Annex E and an informative application guide is given in Annex F.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and area concepts: Target Area (TA), Surrounding Area (SA), Monitoring Area (MA) and Coverage Area (CA) to structure alarm triggering and response.
• Thunderstorm phases and detectable phenomena — description of stages (initial, growth, mature, dissipation) and their detectable electrical/electromagnetic signatures.
• Detector classifications and properties — single‑sensor techniques (electrostatic field, magnetic/electromagnetic sensors) and multi‑sensor networks (time‑of‑arrival, MDF, interferometry) with expected performance characteristics.
• Alarm method and timeline — alarm triggering, clearing, alarm delivery and recommended alarm sequences for operational decision making.
• Installation and maintenance — siting, configuration, commissioning and routine maintenance requirements to preserve performance.
• Performance evaluation and testing — procedures to evaluate system performance, including the normative Annex E test methods for detectors and example evaluation in Annex D.
• Application guidance — Annex F provides practical examples and parameter selection for common use cases (sports fields, ports, storage sites, cranes, wind farms, etc.).
• Limitations and exclusions — portable devices excluded; coordination with structural lightning protection standards (IEC 62305) required for overall mitigation strategy.

Typical use and users

TWS specified by this standard are used to support operational safety decisions and temporary preventive measures: automated or operator-triggered evacuation of open-air events, protective shutdowns of sensitive processes, crane or turbine park stow procedures, and other operational mitigations where real‑time lightning activity information reduces risk. Typical users include lightning protection engineers and consultants, safety and risk managers at industrial sites and utilities, airport and port operators, wind‑farm operators, event organisers, system integrators and manufacturers of lightning detectors and lightning location systems, and testing/certification laboratories.

Related standards

IEC 62793 is intended to be used alongside the IEC/EN 62305 series (Protection against lightning — risk management, physical damage and life hazard, and protection of electrical/electronic systems), and with relevant component and testing standards such as IEC 62561 (lightning protection system components), EN IEC 61400-24 (wind turbine lightning protection) and other national/regional standards that govern lightning protection practice and installation. Users should coordinate TWS use with structural lightning protection requirements and local regulations.

Keywords

thunderstorm warning systems, TWS, lightning protection, lightning detection, alarm timeline, detector testing, lightning location system, IEC 62793, BS EN IEC 62793:2020, risk mitigation

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is IEC 62793 (second edition, 2020) — a standard that defines requirements and guidance for thunderstorm warning systems used to implement protective operational measures against lightning. It has been adopted as EN IEC 62793:2020 and as BS EN IEC 62793:2020 in national catalogues.

Q: What does it cover?

A: The standard covers detector and network characteristics, alarm logic and timelines, installation and maintenance guidance, performance evaluation and testing (including a normative test annex), and an application guide with practical examples. Portable detectors are excluded by the 2020 edition.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Users include lightning protection engineers, system manufacturers and integrators, facility and safety managers (airports, ports, wind farms, industrial plants), event organisers, and laboratories or bodies performing performance evaluation and certification of TWS.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The current edition is the 2020 (second) edition. It replaces the earlier edition (2016 / corresponding EN/BS adoptions dated 2018 in some catalogues). National adoptions (EN/BS) were published in late 2020; users should check their national standards body for the exact adoption record for STB. The IEC entry lists a stability date through 2026.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a standalone IEC document addressing thunderstorm warning systems but is intended to be used together with the IEC 62305 series (Protection against lightning) and other complementary standards for component testing and system design.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Thunderstorm warning system (TWS), lightning detection, lightning location system, alarm timeline, detector testing, protection against lightning, IEC 62793, BS EN IEC 62793:2020.