Surges and transient voltage surges are temporary increases in voltage and current on an electrical circuit. They can range in voltage from greater than 2000 volts and current from greater than 100

amperes. Typical rise times are in the 1 to 10 microsecond range. Transients or surges are the most common power supply problems and their instantaneous destructive nature can cause significant damage such as electrical or electronic equipment failure, frequent downtime, data loss, time loss, and business downtime.

Where does the surge come from?

The leading cause of damage to electronic equipment due to surges is lightning strikes. The greatest damage is not caused by direct lightning strikes, but rather is the result of transient voltage and current surges caused by the strong electromagnetic fields generated during a lightning strike on power, telecommunications, or radio frequency transmission lines. A more common cause of surges is high-power electrical equipment (such as elevators, air conditioners, and refrigerators) operating by turning on compressors and motors. Other sources of surges include wiring faults, utility power failures, and electrical noise.

What is a Dekai Technology surge protector?

A surge protector also called a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS), surge protection device (SPD) or surge suppression equipment (SSE) is a device designed to protect electrical and electronic equipment from electrical surges and voltage spikes. A surge protector diverts the excess voltage and current of a transient or surge into the ground wire.

How Surge Protectors Work

Diverts the excess voltage and current of transients or surges into the ground wire and prevents it from flowing through electrical and electronic equipment while allowing normal voltage to continue along its path. This excess energy can cause damage to electrical and electronic equipment, process control instrumentation equipment.

Two main functions of a surge protector

Two main functions of a surge protector

2. Absorb and divert excess current to ground to protect against transients or surges.

Types of surge protectors: There are two types of surge protectors

A filter is a device that acts as a barrier to high-frequency currents (usually noise) while allowing low-frequency power currents to pass unaffected.

A transient shunt is a device that provides a very low impedance path to ground whenever the voltage across the device exceeds a certain value, but reduces the voltage that might be presented to sensitive equipment.

Surge protector components Components used to reduce or limit high voltage usually include MOV, gas discharge tube, silicon avalanche diode, etc. or a combination of these components. Each of these components performs a different function.

An MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor) is composed of a zinc oxide material, which is a semiconductor with variable resistance. Under normal conditions, an MOV behaves as a high impedance device, but when the voltage is too high, the MOV's resistance drops rapidly to provide a low impedance flow path. An MOV has a limited life expectancy and will degrade when exposed to a few large transients or many smaller transients. MOVs are the most common component in AC surge protectors.

A gas discharge tube (GDT) works by using an inert gas as a conductor, diverting excess current from the hot wire to the ground wire. Under normal conditions, the inert gas acts as a poor conductor, but when the voltage is above an acceptable level, the inert gas is ionized to become an effective conductor, passing current to ground until the voltage returns to normal levels. A GDT will conduct at voltages lower than the high voltage of the ionized gas, and is capable of conducting more current than other components. GDTs have a limited life expectancy and can withstand a few very large transients or more smaller transients.

Silicon Avalanche Diodes (SADs) provide a perfect limiting action as a protection element, but have a lower current capability. When the voltage increases above the limiting level, the SAD will tolerate an avalanche breakdown causing the voltage to be conducted to ground.

Other important components, such as resistors, capacitors and/or inductors, are used in conjunction with the above protection components.

Why do you need a surge protector?

Today, many electronic components in modern electrical devices are smaller, more delicate, and more sensitive to increases in current. Microprocessors, which are integral to all computers and many modern electrical devices, are particularly sensitive to surges. Your electrical equipment can be affected by damaging surges on AC power lines and telephone or signal lines.

Surge protectors are suitable for all applications connected to electrical power (public or locally generated), telephone lines (such as modem, fax, data, etc.), computer data lines, and communication lines, as follows:

Computers and peripheral devices such as printers, monitors, speakers, fax machines, and modems.

PABX and communication equipment, etc.

Entertainment components

Medical equipment, surgical equipment, scientific equipment, etc.

Weighing bridges and measuring equipment, etc.

Electrical Equipment

Security System

Surge Protector Location

Surge protectors are typically applied at multiple points throughout a facility. National standards define three categories of surge levels based on strategic locations in a facility's wiring network that may experience power problems. They classify the surge protector type, potential impact of transient surges or spikes, and location.

Class A: Defined as any outlet and long branch circuits extending more than 10 meters (30 feet) from a Class B location or more than 20 meters (60 feet) from a Class C location. Surge protectors for this location class are applied at the outlet or individual circuit level to protect specific equipment such as computers, counterweight bridges,

Measuring equipment, process control equipment, DC power supply, etc.

Class B: Defined as all major sub-feeders, bus systems and short branch circuits in large buildings, such as switchboards, industrial bus and feeder systems, heavy appliance circuits, lighting systems. Protection in this location is very effective in suppressing more frequent internally generated transients, changing transient conditions, especially sensitive equipment and equipment powered from substations.

Class C: Defined as the exterior and main service entrance, including the main supply line, transformer, service connection and feeders to the main service entrance panel, any overhead or sub-feeders, underground wiring to the well pump. This surge protector type is used to protect against externally caused power interruptions. The device will help prevent lightning strikes from entering the facility through the power lines.

These three categories, A, B, and C, determine which surge protector or TVSS should be used in which location.