About the RMI

For 25 years, RMI has been managing a lightning detection system with sensors of the SAFIR type that detect lightning strikes on the ground as well as the more frequent discharges in the clouds. The part that detects the lightning strokes on the ground, was outdated and is now supplemented with 5 new lightning detection sensors of the type Vaisala LS7002. These new sensors are spread over Belgium and register the electromagnetic pulses with low frequencies that are transmitted due to the lightning stroke. Due to the combination of the data that every sensor sends to the central computer in Uccle, the exact location of each lightning stroke can be identified.

The new installed sensors as well as the processing software are state-of-the-art and form together a new and permanent lightning detection system. BELLS can detect more than 95% of the lightning strokes with a location accuracy of 100-200 meter. Herewith is BELLS one of the best lightning detection networks of Europe!