Power surges, voltage transients, load switching and lightning can seriously harm electrical and electronic equipments unless you use surge protection devices. But how do they work anyway?
The term surge protection device (SPD) is used to describe electrical devices typically installed in power distribution panels, process control systems, communications systems, and other heavy-duty industrial systems, for protection against electrical surges and spikes, including those caused by lightning.
Lightning Surge Protection Devices are used to protect the system from voltage spikes. It is an umbrella term that represents any protective device used for overvoltage protection. The SPD is designed to limit transient overvoltage and divert current waves to earth, to limit the amplitude of this overvoltage to a value that is not dangerous for the electrical installations and switches.
For example, consider a water mill protected by a pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve does nothing until an over-pressure pulse occurs in the water supply. When that happens, the valve opens and shunts the extra pressure aside, so that it won’t reach the water wheel. Even though the relief valve is in place and working properly, some remnant of the pressure pulse will still reach the wheel. But pressure will have been reduced enough not to damage the water wheel or disrupt its operation. This describes the action of SPDs. They reduce transients to levels that will not damage or disrupt the operation of sensitive electrical and electronic equipments.
LEC’s SPD solutions offer protection that prevents damage to sensitive equipment by diverting the damaging transient over-voltages. In most cases this will eliminate equipment failure and reduce downtime.
The choice of a lightning surge protective device depends upon:
- The exposure of the building to lightning transients.
- The sensitivity and value of the equipment that requires protection.
- The location and therefore the exposure level of the installation.
- The equipment used within the installation and whether this equipment could generate switching transients.
At Lightning Eliminators and Consultant Inc., our business is based upon developing long term relationship with our clients by providing complete lightning protection solution and lightning surge protection devices through consultation and patented products in a manner that promotes respect, loyalty and productivity.
We have a track record of cost saving, uptime and increased satisfaction from our clients.