The Need for Surge Protection and the Types
Why Do We Need Surge Protection?
Did you know that most power surges occur on the customer side of the meter? When high-powered electrical devices within a facility such as elevators, air conditioners, refrigerators, pumps, compressors and motors — are switched on and off, or operate in cycles, they can generate internal surges.
Most of our modern-day electronics consist of microprocessors that rely on digital signals:
- Slight distortions on power or signal lines may disrupt the sensitive signal sequence
- Electronic components have become smaller and more powerful, therefore, also have become more sensitive to surges.
For these reasons, surge protection helps to increase reliability and uptime of microprocessors.
Without appropriate surge protection, even minor transient over-voltages can degrade or damage devices such as computers, televisions, and other household appliances.
- Installing a surge protection device (SPD) enhances the resilience and reliability of the entire electrical installation by mitigating these risks.
- Beyond individual equipment protection, it contributes to the overall stability and longevity of the electrical system, offering users confidence in the continuous safe operation of their installations.
Types of SPDs and Which One Do You Need?
Currently in the market there are three different types of surge protection devices (SPDs). Type 1, type 2 and type 3. Let’s review each one and identify some of the applications.
Type 1 Surge Protection Device:
A type 1 surge protection device is designed for high-surge currents and is installed at the line side of the service to the house and/or building. These devices are used to protect your equipment from major surge events.
Type 1 SPDs are generally used to help protect your equipment from external surges:
- Lightning strikes
- Direct and indirect strikes
- Utility company switching
They are not used to protect sensitive electronic equipment or systems from transients that switch. If that application is required, we’d recommend the use of a type 2 device as well.
Type 2 Surge Protection Devices:
Designed to be permanently attached and installed on the load side of the service disconnect over-current device (service equipment), including brand panel locations. Their major function is to shield the delicate electronics and microprocessor-based loads from surges caused by motors, leftover lightning energy, and other internally induced surge events.
Internal surges may include:
- When devices are switched on and off
- Operation cycles
Type 3 Surge Protection Devices:
Point-of-utilization, a minimum of 10 meters (30 feet) of conductor must separate the electrical service panel from the place of use before installing SPDs. Examples include direct plug-in, cable connection, and receptacle type SPD.
Relevant Products:
Surge Protection Devices:
Type 1:
- ICM517A – Single-phase surge protection device
- ICM517A-LITE – Single-phase surge protection device (Coming Soon)
Type 2:
- ICM518 – Split-phase surge protection device
Type 1 and 2:
Voltage Monitors:
- ICM492 – Single-phase voltage monitor
- ICM450A – 3-Phase line voltage monitor
- ICM450A+ PLUS – 3-Phase line voltage monitor
Combination Voltage Monitoring/ Surge Protection:
