The following examines a few of the key differences between Underwriters Laboratory(UL)’s required test for surge protective devices (SPDs); ANSI/UL 1449 Third Edition and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) required test for SPDs, IEC 61643-1. Short Circuit Current Rating (SCCR): The capacity of current with which the tested SPD can withstand at the terminals where [...]

Choosing the right surge arrester(s) is a key factor to guarantee correct protection of the installation. A poorly designed Lightning & Surge protection system may lead to early ageing of the SPD and potential failure of the protective devices in the installation allowing damage to the primary systems up stream, thus defeating the rationale behind [...]

Photovoltaic systems are technologically highly sensitive and a direct lightning strike would definitely destroy it. There is also yet another hazard,as a lightning strike could create surge voltage near the solar power system and these surge voltages can also destroy the system. The inverter is the primary point in need of protection. Usually, inverters will [...]

In the past, some manufacturers have used joule ratings in their specifications. They are not considered a good indicator for SPD performance and not recognized by any standard organizations. Prosurge doesn’t support this specification also.

Response time specifications are not supported by any standards organizations overseeing Surge Protective Devices.IEEE C62.62 Standard Test Specification for SPDs specifically mentions it should not be used as a specification.

The US power distribution system is a TN-C-S system. This implies that the Neutral and Ground conductors are bonded at the service entrance of each, and every, facility or separately derived sub-system. This means that the neutral-to-ground (N-G) protection mode within a multi-mode SPD installed at the service entrance panel is basically redundant. Further from [...]

The installation of SPDs is often poorly understood. A good SPD, incorrectly installed, can prove of little benefit in real-life surge conditions. The very high rate-of-change of current, typical of a surge transient, will develop significant volt drops on the leads connecting the SPD to the panel or equipment being protected. This can mean higher [...]

This is a difficult question and depends on many aspects including – site exposure, regional is okeraunic levels and utility supply. A statistical study of lightning strike probability reveals that the average lightning discharge is between 30 and 40kA, while only 10% of lightning discharges exceed 100kA. Given that a strike to a transmission feeder [...]

Although often used as separate terms in the surge industry, Transients and Surges are the same phenomenon. Transients and Surges can be current, voltage, or both and can have peak values in excess of 10kA or 10kV. They are typically of very short duration (usually >10 µs & <1 ms), with a waveform that has [...]

A direct lighting strike is the most powerful and difficult surge to protect against. Prosurge recommend that Proper grounding and bonding of the electrical system and employing proper surge protection can protect sensitive equipment. A SPD with a higher single surge current rating will perform best against this type of event, if the unit is [...]