What is Suppressed Voltage Rating (SVR) and Voltage Protection Rating (VPR)?
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 its measured clamping value is rounded up to the nearest value based on table 63.1 from UL 1449 3rd Edition.
How are SPDs related to UL 96A?
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.
What is the UL Nominal Discharge Current (In) rating?
The UL Nominal Discharge Current is defined as the peak value of 8/20 microsecond surge current conducted through the SPD. The SPD must still function after 15 applied surges. The highest nominal discharge current rating by UL is 20kA. A SPD for use at the service entrance in UL 96A Lightning Protection Systems must be UL Listed and have a Nominal Discharge Current rating of 20kA.
How does a Type 1 SPD compare to a Type 2 SPD?
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 2 SPDs that do not require external overcurrent protection devices eliminate the potential for installing an incorrectly rated (mismatched) overcurrent protection device with the SPD.
- Nominal Discharge Current Ratings. Available Nominal Discharge Current (In) ratings of Type 1 SPDs are 10 kA or 20 kA; whereas, Type 2 SPDs may have 3 kA , 5 kA, 10 kA or 20 kA Nominal Discharge Current ratings.
- UL 1283 EMI/RFI Filtering. Some UL 1449 Listed SPDs include filter circuits that have been evaluated as a UL 1283 (Standard for Electromagnetic Interference Filters) filter. These are complimentary UL Listed as a UL 1283 filter and a UL 1449 SPD. By definition and the scope of UL 1283, UL 1283 Listed filters are evaluated for load-side applications only, not line-side applications. Consequently, UL will not complimentary list a Type 1 SPD as a UL 1283 Listed […]
What are the UL SPD Type categories and what do they mean?
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 include watt-hour meter socket enclosure type SPDs. Being on the line side of the service disconnect where there are no overcurrent protective devices to protect an SPD, Type 1 SPDs must be listed without the use of an external overcurrent protective device. The Nominal Discharge Current Rating for Type 1 SPDs is either 10kA or 20kA.
Type 2 SPDs (Listed) – Permanently connected, hard-wired SPDs intended for installation on the load side of the main service equipment overcurrent protective device. These SPDs may also be installed at the main service equipment, but must be installed on the load side of the main service overcurrent protective device. Type 2 SPDs may or may not require an overcurrent protection device per their NRTL listing. If a specific overcurrent protection is required, the SPD’s NRTL listing file and labeling/instructions are required to note the size and […]
What is the UL Short Circuit Current Rating (SCCR)?
SCCR-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 SPD can be subjected to and safely disconnect from the power source under short circuit conditions. The amount of current “interrupted” by the SPD is typically significantly less than the “available” current.
UL 1449 and the National Electric Code (NEC) require the SCCR (Short Circuit Current Rating) to be marked on all SPD units. It is not a surge rating, but the maximum allowable current a SPD can interrupt in the event of failure. The NEC/UL has a requirement that the SPD be tested and labelled with a SCCR equal to, or greater than the available fault current at that point in the system.
What is important when specifying SPD?
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
What is a Surge Protective Device (SPD)?
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 grounding system. An SPD has a very low resistance during this time and “shorts” the energy to ground. Once the surge is over it “opens” up, so it does not trigger upstream circuit breakers.