Surge protection components protect electrical systems and equipment from voltage spikes or surges. These surges, often caused by lightning strikes, power grid fluctuations, or equipment malfunctions, can pose significant risks to sensitive electronic devices. These components combine to divert excess voltage, limit transient energy, and safeguard electrical systems from damaging surges.
Surge Protective Devices (SPDs)
- Functionality: Surge protective devices, or SPDs or surge suppressors, are the primary components of surge protection systems. They are designed to divert excessive voltage and limit transient energy to protect connected equipment. SPDs provide a low-impedance path for the surge, redirecting it safely to the ground, thus preventing damage to sensitive devices.
Types of Surge Protection Components
There are different types of SPDs available, each designed for specific applications. Common types include plug-in surge protectors for individual devices, hardwired surge protectors for whole-house protection, and surge protectors specifically designed for data and communication lines.
Surge Protective Modules
- Functionality: Surge protective modules are compact components integrated into electrical equipment or systems to provide localised protection. These modules typically contain metal oxide varistors (MOVs) or gas discharge tubes (GDTs) that respond to voltage surges and divert excess energy to the ground.
Application Areas
Surge protective modules, such as computers, televisions, and appliances, are typically utilised in electronic devices to provide immediate and localised protection. They can also be integrated into electrical panels or circuit boards to safeguard specific components or subsystems.
Grounding and Bonding
- Importance of Grounding: Proper grounding is crucial in surge protection systems, allowing excess electrical energy to dissipate safely. Grounding ensures that surges are redirected away from sensitive equipment and into the earth. It is achieved by connecting surge protection devices and electrical systems to a reliable ground electrode system.
- Bonding for Surge Protection: Bonding involves establishing effective electrical connections between various metallic components within a system. Bonding ensures equal potential among connected components, reducing the risk of voltage differentials that can lead to surges or electrical faults.
Overvoltage Protection Devices (OVPDs)
- Functionality: Overvoltage protection devices are specialised components that monitor and regulate voltage levels to prevent overvoltage conditions. They are typically used in electronic circuits to protect components from sustained high voltages that could cause damage or malfunction.
Application Areas
OVPDs are commonly utilised in sensitive electronic devices, such as computers, telecommunication equipment, and control systems. By constantly monitoring voltage levels and activating protective measures when necessary, OVPDs help prevent damage and ensure system reliability.
