surge protection

Surge Protection Products

Rick Syverson

Revised 05/28/14

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Copyright ERICO International Corporation, 2013

Learning Objectives

At the end of this presentation you will be able to:

• Discuss the basics of surge protection• Understand power surges and their effect on

equipment• Discuss surge protection device (SPD)

applications

•Surge Protection Device (SPD) Basics

•The Standards & Compliances

•Applying SPDs-Tips & Best Practices-Residential Protection-Manufacturing Facility

•SPD Support to the Specifying Engineer

The Agenda

The function of a Surge Protection Device (SPD) is to divert transient voltages and currents away from sensitive equipment, without interruption of the normal circuit operation.

A

B

S2 S3

S1

What is a Surge Protection Device (SPD)?

Normal Operation – High ResistanceSurge/Transient Condition – Lower its Resistance, creating a Shunt Path

SPD in Conduction TOV Condition

Nom inal AC MainsOperating Voltage

Nom inal C lampingVoltage on 50/60 Hz

MCOV

An SPD is a Non-Linear Protective Device – NEMASurge.com


MOV – Metal Oxide VaristorMost common SPD ComponentPower, Instrumentation/Control, Low Freq. Communications

Spark GapA physical Gap used for Power Distribution Applications

SAD – Silicon Avalanche DiodeA very Low Energy SPD ComponentInstrumentation/Control, High Freq. Communications

GTD – Gas Discharge TubeA Spark Gap in a vacuum with inert GasPower, Instrumentation/Control, Very High Freq. Communications/RF

The Non-Linear Components commonly used


Many circuit designs will have a single SPD component

The Non-Linear Components in the Circuit

LANRJ45C6SGD112/125DSD11502SR150Multiple Diodes

& SAD’sSingle GDTMultiple MOV’s


The Non-Linear Components in the Circuit

TOV Design Surge – Filter Low CurrentI/O Design

Hybrid circuits designs will use multiple technologies to enhance performance


The Packaging – Designed for the Form, Fit & Function

Power – Panel Mount

I/O – DIN Rail MountEthernet In-Line

Packaging will vary to meet many needs, some being:-Standards -Environment -Connections-Components -Mounting -Space

Power – DIN Rail Mount RF- Through Panel


UL® 1449 Edition 3

UL 1449 Edition 3 is the UL Standard for Safety for Surge Protective Devices

UL 1449 is widely regarded as the standard imposing the most stringent test requirements to ensure product safety.

With the 3rd Edition, there is more Performance Testing.

New Terms and Testing Highlights:VPR – Voltage Protection RatingI(n) – Nominal Discharge Current RatingSPD – Surge Protective Device (Replaces TVSS)Type – Intended Usage, Types 1-3SCCR – Short Circuit Current Rating,

1 of 3 Current TestsUL is a registered trademark of UL LLC.

Because of the VPR & I(n) Testing, some products are no longer available.

The VPR Tests and I(n) Tests are a 3-Stage Sequence.

1. A VPR test is applied to every mode2. Then the I(n) tests are applied to every mode3. The VPR test is applied again, noting the variance

…Going through the Tests…

UL® 1449 Edition 3

UL is a registered trademark of UL LLC.

1. The VPR test is applied to every mode- 6kV/3A, 8x20 µs wave form applied- The Peak Let-Through Voltages are measured

UL® 1449 Edition 3


2. The I(n) Test is applied to every mode- 15 Surge Applied, (3-Sets of 5 Surges)

` - The Surge Level: 3kA, 5kA, 10kA or 20kAUL is a registered trademark of UL LLC.

UL® 1449 Edition 3

3. The VPR Test is applied to every mode- The Variance Peak Let-Through Voltages cannot be greater than 10%

UL® 1449 Edition 3


The Importance of VPR’s & I(n)?

1.The VPRs demonstrate clamping performance: The lower the bettera.) This is a 3rd party testing of performance

2.I(n) demonstrates the robustness of the SPDa.) UL does not test the maximum surge ratingsb.) There were products that had a 400 kA rating that failed 3 kA testsc.) There are current competitive products on the market that claim to have 100 kA to 400 kA surge ratings. But their I(n) is 5 kA to 10 kA

3.UL 96A requires an I(n) of 20 kA!

4.NFPA® is requiring I(n) of 20 kA for solar PV SPDs

NFPA is a registered trademark of National Fire Protection Association, Inc. UL is a registered trademark of UL LLC.

UL® 1449 Edition 3

Type 1- Similar to secondary surge arrestors of the past, to be installed at the main service entrance.*I(n) must be 10 kA or 20 kA

Type 2- Similar to TVSS of the past, to be installed after the main service entrance.

Type 3- Cord connected devices - plug in

Type 4- Components

NEC® Article 285 describes in detail usage of SPD Type 1 and SPD Type 2.

UL® 1449 Edition 3

NEC is a registered trademark of, and National Electrical Code (NEC) standard is a copyright of the National Fire Protection Association, Inc. UL is a registered trademark of UL LLC.

UL® 1449 Edition 3


www.UL.com - Really Keeping it Real


UL® 1449 Edition 3


Utilizing the Online Certification Directory

UL® 1449 Edition 3



Enter VZCA in the Keyword BoxUL is a registered trademark of UL LLC.

UL® 1449 Edition 3


All of the UL Listed Panel Mount SPD Files!!!

UL® 1449 Edition 3




UL® 1449 Edition 3


Information can be Verified!-Is the product UL Listed - Clamping voltage per mode-I(n) per mode - What modes are being protected-SPD type

UL® 1449 Edition 3



Customer can verify performance, parameters & compare products


UL® 1449 Edition 3

Consulting Engineers NeedTo Update Their Specifications!

New Language & Compliances-SPD type-VPR-I(n)-SCCR-UL 96A

UL® 1449 Edition 3


Location and Rating

For large surge currents originating outside of the user’s facility, the mitigation is best accomplished in several stages.

SPD’s installed in multiple locations provides the best Power Distribution System (PDS) protection

Brute force protection at the service entrance, lower surge rated SPD’s downstream

IEEE® C62.41.2 assists with determinations for Surge Ratings

Location and Rating

IEEE is a registered trademark of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

#1 Keep the Lead Length as Short as Possible

The let-through voltage will be increased because of the inductance of the wires.

The voltage increase can be as much as 100 volts per foot of a #10 AWG conductor with a 3 kA, 8x20 µs surge.

Note: SPD’s require a good ground path to divert surges away from the PDS. A low impedance ground, and keeping the ground lead as short as possible helps assure the best performance.

A Good Installation

Installation Recommendations

#2 No sharp bends in the wires!

A very strange phenomena happens with very high level surges.

The wires will actually move during the event. We can observe this in our test lab.

With sharp bends in the wire, the high level surge can actually blow through the insulation at the bend.


The consulting engineers, electrical contractors, facility managers, and end users have very strong opinions about integrated SPD’s inside their switchgear.

External Mounted SPD’s are Preferred!

The reasons for this practice vary among the different groups, ranging from:Safety Service Performance Cost

Distribution? Some switchgear quotations people want SPD’s integrated. Why? To recoup margins in a competitive market.Distributor Quote: “We never discount SPD’s, always selling at list price.”

Inside or outside the switchgear?


IEEE® 1100 (Emerald Book) - Powering & Grounding Sensitive Electronic Equipment- Application Guide for Surge Protection Device (Formerly TVSS)- The latest edition recommends that they be located outside of the switchgear


IEEE is a registered trademark of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

34

You will have to address the facility issues, and…

Evaluate what the hazards are and

– Get an energized electrical work permit NFPA® 70E

– Get certified personnel trained and equipped as per ESWP in OSHA

“Such persons shall be capable of working safely on energized circuits and shall be familiar with the proper use of special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment, insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools” Courtesy OSHA


NFPA is a registered trademark of National Fire Protection Association, Inc.

Inside the switchgear requires shutting down the building


Installed in the Switchgear Applications

2007 TVSS installation at a major hospital

Keep the wires as short as possible!


Thank you for your time!

This concludes the educational content of this activity

www.erico.com

surge protection

Documents

ul standard

basics of surge protection

measured ul

surge protective devices

current tests ul

registered trademark

ka surge ratings

surge level