Testing a ESE lightning rod varies depending on the installed product. With Paraton@ir equipped with Contact@ir, remote testing with Dongl@ir is performed wirelessly from the ground: it's a one-off on-site operation, without access to the roof or the internet, and is separate from online monitoring. However, this result alone doesn't describe the status of the entire lightning protection system. For an operator, distinguishing between functional testing, connected monitoring, and on-site verification allows for the interpretation of each piece of information within its specific context.
Whether in a European warehouse, an African office building, or an industrial facility, access constraints can be significant. Therefore, a ground-level inspection facilitates the preparation for subsequent monitoring. However, conductors, fasteners, and grounding connections remain physical elements that must be examined as part of the applicable inspections.
LPS France solutions cater to a variety of uses: remote, wireless testing from the ground with Contact@ir and Dongl@ir; testing with access to the lightning rod for ELLIPS and Test@ir; or online monitoring with the appropriate equipment. Here's how to choose the right testing path and interpret the results.
What does a ESE lightning rod test check?
Testing a lightning protection device (LPD) provides information on the operation of the device being tested, depending on the installed equipment and the procedure used. It complements lightning protection monitoring but does not automatically describe the condition of conductors, fixings, and grounding. Therefore, its result must be considered in conjunction with device identification and field checks.
Distinguishing between the device and the complete installation
An early streamer emission(ESE) lightning rod is a lightning arresting device that includes a system designed to facilitate the initiation of an upward leader. Its functional control relates to this device; the installation also includes the current paths to ground and their connections.
Indeed, a diagnostic result and a visual inspection answer different questions. The former provides information on the tested function; the latter may reveal a loose fastening, a damaged conductor, or a building modification that requires further analysis.
- Precisely identify the lightning rod and its communication equipment.
- Apply the test procedure corresponding to the equipment.
- Retain the date, the result, and the operator's identity.
- To reconcile the result with the planned physical checks on the installation.
Therefore, a result showing no defects does not prove that all components are in good condition. It constitutes useful information within a set of checks, with a clearly defined scope.
How to test Paraton@ir from the ground with Dongl@ir?
With a Paraton@ir, for example the Paraton@ir 60, equipped with Contact@ir, Dongl@ir enables remote, wireless testing from the ground using the LPS France. This process does not require an internet connection. However, it remains a one-time operation performed on-site, separate from online monitoring.
Prepare the test from the ground
The remote, wireless, ground-based test is an operation conducted on-site by an operator using a radio link. In this process, Dongl@ir enables communication with Contact@ir ; it does not constitute a permanent remote monitoring gateway.
The Paraton@ir range is " Contact@ir Ready": remote testing requires a Contact@ir module to be mounted on the lightning rod. Therefore, check for its presence before any visit.
- Find the ESE reference and the presence of the Contact@irmodule.
- Prepare Dongl@ir and the LPS FranceAndroid application.
- Position yourself on the site under the conditions specified in the instructions.
- Perform the diagnosis and identify the result for the device in question.
- Record the information in the monitoring file and prepare for further checks.
To examine this configuration, consult the kit Contact@ir for remote, wireless testing from the ground. This allows you to choose a specific testing method, with its equipment and procedure, that complements the installation checks.
What is the difference between this and theELLIPS test and online supervision?
TestingELLIPS 1.4 with Test@ir requires access to the lightning rod and connecting the test device. Online monitoring, however, relies on a dedicated communication chain. Contact@ir and Dongl@ir enable remote, wireless testing from the ground; Contact@ir with Rout@ir, or Contact@ir MD, provide alternative monitoring options.
Choose a route adapted to the farm
Online monitoring is the transmission of information from a device to a remote service via a network connection. It allows users to view information reported by the equipment, according to its configuration, without being confused with a physical inspection of the installation.
In practice, Contact@ir can communicate wirelessly with Rout@ir, then use an Ethernet or mobile connection to connect to LPS Manager. Contact@ir MD, which comes pre-installed on the Paraton@ir, includes a SIM card and transmits information to LPS Manager via the mobile network, without Rout@ir. The kit Paraton@ir 60 + Contact@ir MD combines this ESE and this communication module. The choice depends primarily on the existing equipment and the site's communication capabilities.
- ELLIPS with Test@ir : access to the ESE and connection of the test device.
- Contact@ir with Dongl@ir: remote, wireless testing from the ground.
- Contact@ir with Rout@ir : communication to a network gateway.
- Contact@ir MD: mobile communication with integrated SIM, without Rout@ir.
Furthermore, the Contact@ir offers several configurations, detailed in our article on radio monitoring Contact@ir. Before selecting a solution, the operator must therefore specify their needs: performing a test during a visit or consulting information from connected devices between visits.
Why maintain periodic on-site inspections?
On-site inspections examine elements not covered by the ESE test: conductors, connections, fixings, and grounding points, in particular. For a ESE installation, diagnostics and monitoring do not replace the periodic inspections required by NF C 17-102:2011. Their organization depends on the standard applicable to the project. For details, see our article on the periodic inspection of lightning rods.
Linking the diagnosis to the physical condition
A periodic inspection is a repeated examination of the installation designed to assess its condition according to a defined scope and method. Internationally, professionals identify the applicable standards, notably IEC 62305 (2024 edition) for the general framework of lightning protection and the specific standard for the installed system.
For example, a satisfactory functional result can coexist with a corroded mounting. Similarly, a roof modification may necessitate a reassessment of the installation, even if the device continues to transmit its information normally.
- Examine the visible condition of the components accessible during the visit.
- Check the conductors, fixings and connections according to the applicable procedure.
- Carry out the required grounding system checks for the site.
- Compare the results to the documents and previous checks.
- Identify the anomalies, the actions taken, and those responsible for their processing.
Finally, access at height and electrical work must be prepared by qualified professionals. Testing from the ground can facilitate ESE diagnosis; however, it does not eliminate the need for safety precautions during other operations.
How to organize follow-up after a test or visit?
After a test, the device identification, date, and result must be recorded, and this information then linked to the installation log. LPS Manager organizes this log, the history of checks, and the associated reports. It also allows for the monitoring of connected devices, with information retrieved according to their configuration.
Maintaining comparable information over time
Traceability of completed checks and their context. Therefore, a change of service provider or site manager must not result in the loss of equipment identification or the history of checks.
Furthermore, the equipment description must distinguish between the ESE, communication modules, and other devices. This precision helps in interpreting results and preparing for a site visit, preventing the misattribution of a function to equipment that does not possess it.
- Reference and location of the lightning rod tested.
- Test and communication equipment available.
- Date of test, operator and result retained.
- History of checks and associated reports.
- Field actions tracked in the site file.
To ensure this continuity, discover LPS Manager and the monitoring of lightning protection installations. Then, reconcile the digital information with the documents and physical controls available for each building.
In summary, testing a ESE lightning rod provides targeted functional information. Contact@ir with Dongl@ir enables remote, wireless testing from the ground, while other configurations provide online monitoring. Periodic on-site checks remain essential to examine the installation as a whole. Identify your equipment and monitoring needs before choosing the appropriate testing method.
Frequently Asked Questions about Testing a ESE Lightning Rod
Does Dongl@ir require internet access for ground-based testing?
Remote, wireless testing from the ground using Dongl@ir and Contact@ir does not require an internet connection. It is performed on-site using the LPS France Android app and compatible equipment.
Does a satisfactory test replace periodic verification?
No. The result relates to the tested function; the conductors, fixings and earth connections must also be examined according to the checks applicable to the installation.
Is ELLIPS tested in the same way as Paraton@ir equipped with Contact@ir ?
No. TheELLIPS test with Test@ir requires access to the lightning rod and connecting the test device to it. The Contact@ir and Dongl@ir pathways allow for remote, wireless testing from the ground on compatible equipment.
Sources and references
- LPS France : official Contact@ir kit fact sheet with Dongl@ir, accessed on November 8, 2026; link in the body of the text.
- LPS Manager : official presentation of the file, the history of checks and the supervised devices, consulted on November 8, 2026; link in the body of the text.
- IEC: IEC 62305-3:2024, protection of structures and persons.
- NF C 17-102:2011: Reference for installations using early streamer emission lightning rods.
