CONTINUOUS RESEARCH FOR OPTIMUM RELIABILITY.

At France  Paratonnerres , our objective is to ensure that the equipment we offer you is totally reliable , which is why research goes on all the time. The perfection of the IONIFLASH air terminal based on the development of the ionising system is the culmination of many years of research. Experiments carried out in the Electricity of France (EDF) Very High Voltage research laboratory provided the information necessary for the creation of the First IONIFLASH. Other trials are regularly carried out to enhance the performance of equipment which is becoming increasingly reliable.

CONVINCING TRIALS :

- 1988-1989 :
An on-site comparative test, between an IONIFLASH and a simple air terminal on a France Telecom pylon.
In one year, 7 lightning strikes occurred on the IONIFLASH, none on the simple air terminal of the same length.
" To date, no other air terminal has managed to equal this test "
Communication Mr. Damour France Telecom in RGE N° 7 - July 1991.

Racing Circuit "Les 24 Heures du Mans"

- 1996 :
Very High Voltage Laboratory in the University of Pau ; basic research carried out over 3 months, focusing on the operation of different early streamer emission air terminal systems.
This research made it clear that in the present state of knowledge, only the IONIFLASH system can significantly improve the performance of the simple air terminal, regardless of trial conditions.

Protection for the Ariane 5 launch pad

EXPERTISE BASED ON UNDERSTANDING.

To understand the action of a lightning conductor, it is essential to know how lightning is formed. The lightning stroke begins with the creation in the depths of the cloud of the leader tracer which travels in leaps towards the earth.
This is the downward tracer.

The presence of the stormy cloud increases the electrical field of the atmosphere at ground level.

This variation causes a "crown effect" to appear at the point of all geometrical structures ; it is this natural ionisation which brings about the formation of the upward tracer.
The lightning stroke, born of the downward tracer, makes a direct strike on the earth, a building or a person, causing considerable damage to property and living creatures. In the average negative lightning stroke, the maximum intensity of the current is 25,000 amperes.

TECHNOLOGY AT THE SERVICE OF SAFETY.

Eurodisney Paris

The purpose of the lightning conductor is to emit a rising electrical discharge to inflect the effect of the downward tracer. As it is transmitted towards the cloud, this rising discharge creates a field which is sufficient to modify the path of the downward tracer : the lightning current is thus dispersed into the earth. This process can occur naturally, but the action of the IONIFLASH triggers it more rapidly and therefore ensures more effective protection.
This is the concept of early streamer emission.

IONIFLASH : THE CHOICE OF RELIABILITY.

Reliability is the essential quality of the IONIFLASH.
This is provided by the following :
- The operating principle of the early streamer emission, which does not require any fragile components (so no risk of failure).
- The unparalleled accuracy of the ionisation, we are talking about millionths of a second.
- The materials used in its manufacture : copper and stainless steel are chosen for their excellent resistance to corrosion.
- Its qualities of independent operation and reliability mean that it can even be installed in places which are difficult to reach, such as church towers and spires.