What is Surge Protection
Surge protection devices (SPDs) protect electrical installations and terminal equipment from over-voltages (transient voltages).
To protect equipment against from transient voltages, a surge arrestor is connected to the conductor before it enters the equipment. The SPD is connected to ground too and functions by routing energy from and over-voltage transient to ground if one occurs, while isolating the conductor from ground at normal voltages.
Why is Surge protection required?
Surge protection devices SPDs can be crucial in preventing fires due to sudden voltage spikes adding a significant layer in the protection of buildings.
Furthermore the availability of the electrical installation is increased preventing unforeseen downtime.
Most importantly, people are protected from injury and anciliary consequences.
Impact
Overvoltages can last for very short periods or even days with amplitudes rangins from millivolts to thousands of volts. A sudden rise in voltage (spike) can disrupt normal operations.
Applications
- Homes and public buildings
- Cell towers
- Computer Data Centers
- Laboratories
Min causes
- Lightning strikes (LEMP)
- Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
- Switching operation (SEMP)