When operations are stopped due to false indications of lightning by the LWS, the system looses credibility and usefulness. Therefore, accuracy of information is essential, as is the LWS affordability relative to the consequences. Lightning information via subscription services also is available. These measure the potential difference between the cloud base and the ground directly above the instrument. They are useful for an explosives environment where monitoring of pre-Lightning conditions is needed.
Field mills can help defend against storms building overhead.
These monitors use a combination of the single technology designs. Two or more sources of information may be better than a single method. These will display one indication that is verified by the other technology. Accuracy of the total information is high, although the operator needs to be able to interpret the data especially if the two technologies are in conflict. These perform complex inferred analysis and are much more costly that other detectors.