PROJECT: Field Mill

General description:

Field Mill measures the electrostatic field infuenced by a thunder cloud at ground level. Field mills are used for early warnings for possible lightning strikes e.g. at rocket launch sites or airports.

General description: One electrode is alternately exposed to and then shielded from the field to be measured.  The electric current which flows to and from the electrodes is proportional to the strength of the electric field.

Hardware:

Documents:

Schematic

PCB

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Output

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

140619 Cloudy day  
150619 Clear skies, few clouds  
160619 Clear skies, very few clouds  
170619

Thunderstorm

spikes due to lightning strikes

 
6 Mostly cloudy spikes due to rain hitting sensor  

 

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