If the mains voltage to a device is increased over the rated value then significant damage can be caused. Lightning activity in electrical storms can cause the mains voltage to massively increase for very short periods and these lightning induced surges can cause significant damage to any device that is plugged in at the time of the surge.
Roxburgh EMC surge protection devices are connected to the mains supply and lay dormant for most of the time until the mains voltage is affected by a surge. It then rapidly becomes a short circuit and transmits the energy of the surge to ground before it has a chance to damage any equipment.
In industrial situations differing surge protection devices are used together in differing locations to give the best overall protection:
- B class devices are capable of withstanding very high surges are placed at the main junction box where the power enters the building
- C class devices are used inside the building, in a distribution box. These have a lower capacity but the likelihood of a direct strike is reduced because of the protection provided by the buildings other surge protection devices.
Surge protection devices are not new, but they are becoming more common for two reasons:
- Insurance companies are beginning to offer discounts where SPD is fitted, as their pay out in the event of a nearby lightning strike is reduced, as is the likelihood of fires caused by burning electrical equipment.
- Lightning problems are more severe with devices situated far from the ground so the new green energies such as wind and photovoltaic are especially vulnerable and in need of protection.
Surge protection is most commonly used in the following applications where reliability is important but also there is an outdoor element leading to increased exposure to lightening induced transients.
- Wind Turbine System's
- Photovoltaic System's
- Private Houses
- Sailing Boats
- Mobile Base Station's
- Fuel Filling Station's
- Railway Infrastructure
Click here to see the complete range of Farnell stocked Roxburgh EMC surge protection devices.
