Abstract: A universal system used to monitor external conditions, particularly including environmental conditions, to preemptively activate secondary power sources and isolate electric loads from a main power source such as an electric utility's power grid for the purpose of protecting the load from dangerous power conditions brought about by the external condition. The system includes a universal control module capable of communicating with a variety of external stimuli sensors and automatic transfer switches that switch a load's power source from one source to another upon activation, which results in the isolation of the load from the main (or another) power source.

Abstract: A lightning protection system including a monitoring system (10) for detecting dangerous atmospheric conditions within specific geographic zones, a transmission system (12) for sending control codes, and multiple circuit connection/disconnection devices (16) for electrically connecting to electronic equipment to be protected. The lightning protection system (10) protects electrical and electronic equipment (18) by detecting and locating dangerous atmospheric conditions in a particular geographic area and transmitting broadcast control commands to electrical circuit connection/disconnection devices (16) in the geographic area, which have a receiver for receiving the broadcast control commands and an interruption mechanism (16) for disconnecting and reconnecting the electrical equipment from external conductors in response to the control commands. The monitoring system (10) may consist of multiple detectors located in different geographic areas.