Published: 6 October 2013
Category: News
There are often articles to be found in the press discussing the use & merits of surge protective devices and the many types available. It’s clear also that they serve an important role in protecting sensitive electronics and micro-processors that tend to be found in almost everything today from TVs to washing machines.
These articles are often lengthy and complicated, and that makes understanding the selection criteria for the appropriate device difficult for installers to follow. Wylex have recognised this problem and have published an easy to follow decision tree that makes light work of this subject and helps installers to easily select and specify Surge Protection Devices.
There are some simple rules for example, is there a lightning protection system on the building? If the answer is yes then a Type 1 Surge Protection Device should be fitted, or is the building with 1km of a potential lightening strike? If the answer is yes then a Type 2 Surge Protection Device should be fitted, Is the supply via an overhead (TT) line, if the answer is yes then a Type 2 Surge Protection Device should be fitted.
Traditionally sensitive equipment like computers were top of the surge protection list but now it is almost any domestic appliance that is vulnerable to transient voltage surges, with a consequent potential repair or replacement cost being the penalty for not installing proper protection in the first place. Exposure to higher levels of surge voltages can result in immediate damage and can burn out circuit boards with the possibility of not only equipment loss but also the risk of house fires. This clearly has general safety implications.
These transient or surge voltages are short, pulse like, voltage peaks with steep rising edges. They may be caused by external events like lightning strikes or by internal circumstances, e.g. the switching of electrical currents or loads. Unchecked, after time, even low levels of transient overvoltage can reduce the lifespan of TVs, computers and many other valuable electrical household devices. Wylex produce a range of economically priced Type 1, Type 2 or combination Type 1+2 surge protection devices suitable for single-phase domestic applications.
Wylex surge protection devices can be seen therefore as passive insurance equipment, and are easily fitted into existing consumer units or mounted into their own separate enclosures.
Wylex will also supply bespoke custom built units with surge protection devices MCBs and RCBOs already fitted to the unit
Guidance on selecting the relevant Surge protection devices to protect against Lightning Surges or Switching surges is shown in the attached document, which uses a helpful flowchart.
This document is also available on request from Wylex Sales atl [email protected] or telephone 01543 455000.