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 is [...]

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 [...]

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 properly [...]

SVR was part of an earlier version of UL 1449 Edition and is no longer used in the UL 1449 standard. The SVR was replaced by VPR. VPR is part of the UL 1449 3rd Edition and is the clamping performance data for SPDs. Each SPD mode is subjected to a 6kV/3kA combination surge wave and [...]

UL 96A is the standard for Lightning Protection systems. For a building to meet UL 96A is must have a Type 1 SPD with a Nominal Discharge Current rating of 20kA installed at the service entrance.

Some key differences between Type 1 and Type 2 SPDs are: External Overcurrent Protection. Type 2 SPDs may require external overcurrent protection or it may be included within the SPD. Type 1 SPDs generally include overcurrent protection within the SPD or other means to satisfy the requirements of the standard; thus, Type 1 SPDs and Type [...]

Type 1 SPDs (Listed) – Permanently connected, hard-wired SPDs intended for installation between the secondary of the service transformer and the line side of the main service equipment overcurrent protective device, as well as the load side of the main service equipment (i.e. Type 1’s can be installed anywhere within the distribution system). Type 1 SPDs [...]

SSCR-Short Circuit Current Rating. The suitability of an SPD for use on an AC power circuit that is capable of delivering not more than a declared rms symmetrical current at a declared voltage during a short circuit condition. SCCR is not the same as AIC (Amp Interrupting Capacity). SCCR is the amount of “available”current that the [...]

When specifying SPD, submit a clear, concise specification detailing the required performance and design features. A minimum specification should include: • UL surge rating • Suppression rating • Short circuit rating • Peak surge current per mode (L-N, L-G, and N-G) • voltage and configuration of electrical service

SPD is a device designed to limit surge energy to electrical equipment. It does this by diverting or limiting surge current. An SPD is wired in parallel to the equipment it is intended to protect. Once the surge voltage exceeds its designed rating it “begins to clamp” and starts to conduct energy directly to the electrical [...]