Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for detecting an event-related signal among noise, where the system includes memory for storing measurement values and may include a processor for generating residual values associated with the measurement values, and for detecting the event-related signal using the residual values.

Abstract: The disclosed method of operating an installation that comprises one or more long electrical conductors (exemplarily an electric utility, telecommunication system or pipeline) involves receiving and/or collecting substantially real time data representative of the time derivative of Earth's magnetic field (dB/dt) at a multiplicity of points within an appropriate geographic region, comparing the data (or data derived therefrom) to pre-determined critical values and, if indicated by the result of the comparison, changing the operating conditions of the installation. Use of the disclosed method can make possible system-protective action in the case of solar magnetic disturbances (SMD). Such disturbances in the past have caused black-outs and other undesirable conditions. In a preferred embodiment the installation operator can have available dB/dt "maps" of a multiplicity of spatial scales, ranging from an essentially local scale to a substantial continental one.