Created by: Glen Zhu | Updated Date: December 5th, 2024
Surge protection is essential in areas prone to lightning strikes or where electrical surges are likely to occur. These include high-risk lightning zones, areas with frequent power fluctuations, or regions with dense electronic equipment, such as industrial facilities, data centers, hospitals, communication stations, and residential power systems. Installing surge protection devices can effectively mitigate voltage spikes, preventing damage to electronic equipment and electrical systems, and ensuring safety and reliable operations.
Type 1 SPD: Type 1 surge protective device is typically installed at the main electrical panel or main distribution board, which is the first point where power enters the building. Installing it at this location allows it to intercept external surges, such as lightning strikes and utility grid switching, preventing the surge from propagating further into the building’s internal electrical system.
Type 2 SPD: Type 2 surge protective device is generally installed in the distribution board or sub-distribution panel, positioned between the main electrical panel and the specific electrical equipment. This location helps protect devices on various circuits within the power system, preventing internal surges from affecting individual electrical branches.
Type 3 SPD: Type 3 surge protective device is specifically designed to protect end-user devices and are usually installed close to the electrical equipment. They are used to protect sensitive devices from smaller, localized surges and voltage spikes, providing direct protection at the point of use.
Surges are generally caused by the following factors:
1. Lightning Activity: Lightning strikes power lines or nearby ground, generating powerful electromagnetic waves that are transmitted to electrical equipment, causing a sudden increase in voltage or current.
2. Faulty Wiring: Improperly grounded or damaged wiring can cause electrical surges, especially in older appliances or wiring systems. Older wiring may have worn insulation, exposing the internal wires, which can result in weak electrical resistance. When these exposed wires come into contact with conductive materials, the current increases. Signs of faulty wiring include burning smells, buzzing sounds from outlets, and tripped circuit breakers.
3. Utility Power Brownouts/Blackouts: Issues with the power grid or power lines can lead to outages, which are relatively common. While the loss of electricity itself is not the problem, power surges can occur when electricity is restored. The sudden increase in current when power returns can trigger a surge.
4. Electrical Overload: An electrical overload happens when a single circuit draws too much power. This can occur when multiple devices are used simultaneously or when extension cords are overloaded. The excessive current creates a voltage spike, overwhelming the circuit. Devices like hairdryers, power tools, space heaters, and large appliances can potentially cause electrical overloads.
5. Short Circuits: A short circuit occurs when electricity flows through an unintended path with little to no electrical resistance. This can lead to power surges as the current bypasses the normal circuit.
6. Switching Operations: The operation of switches, circuit breakers, or other electrical switches, especially when high-current equipment is involved, can trigger surges.
7. Equipment Failure: Sudden failures in certain devices, particularly power supply systems, can lead to a surge due to a rapid increase in current over a short period of time.
8. Grid Fluctuations: Instabilities in the power grid can cause sudden voltage spikes, resulting in surges.
Surge voltages are typically several times, or even tens of times, higher than the normal operating voltage, and can instantly damage electronic components or cause equipment failure. Surge protection devices (SPDs) can effectively shield sensitive electronic equipment from damage caused by surges.
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LSP’s reliable surge protection devices (SPDs) are designed to meet the protection needs of installations against lightning and surges. Contact our Experts!
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