A LEGACY BORN IN 1932: FROM THE WORKSHOP TO THE WORLD

Since 1932, Hélita has been a pioneer in controlling high-amplitude, short-duration currents, evolving into an innovator of Early Streamer Emission (ESE) lightning protection technology.

 

Hélita's legacy merged with Soulé, a French industrial pioneer founded in 1862. In 1989, Soulé acquired Hélita, combining decades of electrical innovation. Together, they revolutionized lightning protection with the 1984 Pulsar—the world's first Early Streamer Emission (ESE) air terminal, developed with France's National Scientific Research Centre (CNRS).

 

In 2001, ABB Group acquired the combined Soulé & Hélita expertise, establishing it as ABB's lightning protection center of excellence. Today, ABB's OPR division part of ABB Installatin Products continues this legacy, protecting lives and property worldwide with cutting-edge earthing and lightning protection solutions backed by rigorous testing and certification.

32 MILLION REASONS TO PROTECT YOUR BUILDING

Lightning strikes the Earth over 32 million times annually, causing fires, equipment damage, and dangerous transient overvoltages. A single strike can reach 200,000 amperes and temperatures of 30,000°C—five times hotter than the sun's surface—destroying electronics worth thousands in milliseconds.

 

Lightning surges propagate through electrical systems, damaging alarm systems, HVAC controls, computers, telecommunications equipment, and data networks. Beyond equipment replacement, businesses face interruption costs, data loss, and safety hazards. Hélita's comprehensive lightning protection systems—combining external air terminals, down conductors, earthing, and surge protection devices (SPDs)—safely capture, conduct, and dissipate massive electrical energy, protecting both structures and sensitive equipment.

THE PULSAR REVOLUTION: REDEFINING LIGHTNING PROTECTION

The Pulsar Early Streamer Emission (ESE) air terminal, invented by Hélita and CNRS in 1984, transformed lightning protection from passive to active defense. By initiating upward streamers earlier than conventional rods, Pulsar creates a preferential lightning path with larger protection zones—reducing installation complexity and costs.

 

Every Pulsar undergoes rigorous testing at high-voltage laboratories and real-world evaluation at ABB's unique Pic du Midi mountain test platform in France. In 2020, ABB's OPR ESEAT achieved UL Certification per NFC 17-102 standard—the global benchmark for ESE products. The Pulsar range offers protection radii from 30 to 120 meters, and all models include the RodCheck lightning strike indicator for visual performance confirmation.

WHY HÉLITA? BECAUSE 90+ YEARS OF EXPERTISE PROTECTS WHAT MATTERS MOST.

<p>Lightning strikes 32 million times annually worldwide, threatening buildings, equipment, and lives. Hélita combines over nine decades of lightning protection expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver comprehensive solutions that safeguard your property and peace of mind.</p>

Over 90 years of lightning expertise

<p>Since 1932, Hélita has specialized in controlling high amplitude and short duration currents, developing unparalleled knowledge in lightning protection science and engineering.</p>

Patented ESE technology

<p>The Pulsar's Early Streamer Emission device, invented in 1984 with CNRS, initiates upward streamers earlier than conventional rods, providing superior protection zones certified to NF C 17-102 standards</p>

Extended protection coverage

<p>Pulsar systems offer protection radii from 30 to 120 meters depending on the model, covering larger areas with fewer air terminals compared to traditional Franklin rod arrays.</p>

UL & NF C 17-102 certified

<p>ABB's OPR ESEAT achieved UL Certification in 2020, and all Pulsar systems comply with NF C 17-102—the worldwide benchmark for ESE air terminal testing and certification</p>

RodCheck strike indicator

<p>Since 2011, all Hélita lightning rods feature the RodCheck lightning strike indicator, providing visual confirmation of system activation and simplifying maintenance inspections.</p>

Comprehensive system solutions

<p>From external protection (ESE air terminals, down conductors, earthing) to internal surge protection (PM Compact arresters, public lighting protection), Hélita offers complete lightning defense systems.</p>

Rigorous testing protocols

<p>Real-world testing at Pic du Midi mountain platform combined with high-voltage laboratory testing producing arcs up to 14 meters long ensures proven performance in actual lightning conditions [3][8].</p>

HOW WE HELP

Products

HELITA® Pulsar Lightning Protection System

HELITA® Pulsar Lightning Protection Systems are Early Streamer Emission Air Terminals (ESEATs) that draw energy from the ambient electric field during a storm to proactively generate an upward leader, capturing lightning strikes and directing the current safely to earth. Available in three efficiency levels with protection radii of up to 107 meters, the Pulsar range provides a technically and commercially optimized solution for protecting industrial sites, commercial properties, religious buildings, open-air facilities and more.

INDUSTRIES WE SUPPORT

From residential construction to commercial and industrial projects, our products support professionals across diverse industries.

Buildings, Data centers, Oil and gas, Power generation, Wind power, Water, Railways, Solar power

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hélita pioneered Early Streamer Emission (ESE) technology, which initiates an upward leader earlier than conventional rods, capturing lightning more effectively and directing it safely to ground.

Hélita solutions protect industrial facilities, commercial buildings, utilities, and infrastructure, offering reliable safety in high‑risk lightning zones.

Hélita systems protect against both direct lightning strikes and indirect strikes up to a kilometer away. The ESE technology intercepts lightning safely, while integrated surge protection prevents transient overvoltages that degrade electronics. This total solution approach protects structures, lives, and sensitive electronic equipment simultaneously.