Your lightning rods are installed, your maintenance contracts are signed — but do you know precisely when to intervene to remain compliant with the NF C 17-102:2011 standard? Between costly systematic visits and the risk of missing a strike, there is now a third way: 868 MHz radio monitoring with the Contact@ir from LPS France .
In this article, we explain how Contact@ir, Dongl@ir and Rout@ir transform the maintenance of your early streamer emission (ESE) lightning rods into a data-driven, standards-compliant and cost-effective process.
Why does NF C 17-102:2011 require active monitoring of your ESEs?
The NF C 17-102:2011 standard is the French reference for early streamer emission (ESE) lightning rods. It mandates two types of verification:
- Annual periodic verification : visual and functional inspection of the PDA, down conductors and grounding points.
- Biannual measurement of earth resistance : every 2 years maximum, in accordance with §8 of the standard. Target: resistance <10 Ohms for LPL I/II. Contact@ir facilitates the planning of this measurement by confirming the absence of impact between two campaigns.
- Post-impact verification : as soon as a lightning strike is detected on or near the installation, a specific inspection must be carried out to check the condition of the PDA and the entire system.
It is this second point that poses a problem in practice. How can you know if your PDA has intercepted a lightning strike , especially when it is installed on the roof of an industrial building, a water tower or a pylon in an isolated area? Without a detection system, the answer is simple: you don't know — and you either intervene too often (cost), or not often enough (risk).
The Contact@ir system: 868 MHz radio architecture in 3 components
LPS France has designed a complete ecosystem to precisely address this issue. It is based on 868 MHz long-range radio technology, a frequency that is free and robust against industrial interference — without dependence on the GSM/4G network , which guarantees reliability even in areas with no coverage.
Contact@ir : the smart transmitter on the ESE
The Contact@ir is a miniaturized transmitter that installs directly onto the early streamer emission (ESE) lightning rod. It performs two essential functions:
- It detects lightning strikes intercepted by the ESE and accurately timestamps them.
- It transmits the recorded data via 868 MHz radio to receivers in the range.
Its multi-year autonomy and resistance to extreme conditions (IP65, temperature range -40°C to +85°C) make it a reliable companion for exposed installations.
Dongl@ir: the mobile receiver for on-site checks
The Dongl@ir is a portable USB receiver with a range of 100 meters. The installer or maintenance technician goes to the site with their computer, opens the application, and consults in a few seconds the history of impacts recorded by the Contact@ir .
Contact@ir + Dongl@ir kit is ideal for one-off installations or managers who want to perform their own spot checks without a network infrastructure. With the Contact@ir + Dongl@ir kit , you have everything you need to get started right away.
Rout@ir : the fixed receiver connected for continuous monitoring
The Rout@ir is a fixed receiver installed in a technical room. Its radio range reaches 300 meters, and it natively has WiFi and LAN to connect to your company network (mobile data option available).
Once connected, Rout@ir automatically uploads data to the LPS Manager . This provides you with continuous, multi-site monitoring, accessible from any browser , with real-time alerts after each impact.
The Contact@ir + Rout@ir kit is the recommended solution for multi-site park managers, industrial operators and maintenance providers wishing to remotely monitor their customers.
Contact@ir MD: the IoT solution for isolated sites off the local network
Some sites present a particular challenge: the absence of a WiFi or LAN network near the lightning rod. Isolated water towers, telecommunications towers, relay antennas, wind turbines, agricultural installations in areas with no coverage…
For these configurations, LPS France offers the Contact@ir MD — a distinct variant that does not use the 868 MHz radio , but a low-power IoT SIM card (LPWAN network) . Upon detecting an impact, it automatically transmits the event to LPS Manager via the mobile network, without requiring any local infrastructure.
Key points: Contact@ir = local 868 MHz radio (on-site receiver required) / Contact@ir MD = IoT/SIM LPWAN (direct connection to the cloud, zero infrastructure). Two complementary products, two different architectures.
Three arguments to convince your management: standards, savings, guarantee
Here are three concrete benefits you can highlight when making an investment decision:
1. Proven and enforceable compliance with NF C 17-102:2011
The standard mandates action after each impact. Contact@ir provides you with dated and time-stamped proof that you took action (or that you were not required to take action). In the event of an inspection, claim, or dispute with your insurer, you have irrefutable and legally binding documentation .
2. Reduction of intervention costs
Without Contact@ir , you intervene on each site according to a fixed schedule—regardless of whether there has been an impact or not. With Contact@ir , you only go onto the roof when necessary . For installations at height or in hard-to-reach locations, the savings per avoided intervention can amount to several hundred euros. Across a portfolio of 20 sites, the return on investment is generally achieved in less than a year.
3. Maintenance of the manufacturer's warranty
LPS France guarantees its lightning rods provided that the required standard checks are carried out and documented. Contact@ir ensures this traceability automatically, without risk of omission or missing documentation.
Integration with LPS Manager: centralized monitoring of all your sites
When you deploy Rout@ir or Contact@ir MD, the data is synchronized in real time with the LPS Manager . You then benefit from a centralized dashboard for:
- Track the status of each ESE across your entire fleet
- Receive instant alerts after each detected impact
- Generate NF C 17-102 compliant PDF verification reports
- Plan and document maintenance interventions
The video below illustrates the installation of a ESE, the first step before the Contact@ir system is put into service:
How to deploy Contact@ir on your existing installations?
One of the major advantages of the Contact@ir is its compatibility with all existing PDA lightning rods . Whether you have a Paraton@ir LPS France or a PDA from another manufacturer, Contact@ir adapts without major modifications.
The deployment typically follows three stages:
- Feasibility audit : identification of priority sites, analysis of radio coverage, choice between Dongl@ir and Rout@ir according to network constraints.
- Installation : attaching the Contact@ir to the PDA, configuring the receiver, radio range test.
- LPS Manager activation : account creation, alert threshold setup, team training.
Conclusion: Monitor your lightning protection without leaving your desk
The NF C 17-102:2011 standard is non-negotiable — but its application can be intelligent. With the Contact@ir ( Contact@ir , Dongl@ir, Rout@ir , Contact@ir MD), LPS France gives you the tools to comply with the standard, reduce your costs, and document every intervention , from your office or from anywhere in the world.
Do you manage multiple sites or want to equip your fleet of PDAs with Contact@ir ? LPS France team for an audit and a personalized quote, or get started for free on LPS Manager to discover the cloud monitoring features.
