6/6/2019 Selection of Surge Protective Device (SPD)- (Part 1) | Electrical Notes & Articles

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Selection of Surge Protective Device (SPD)- (Part 1)

MAY 30, 2015 12 COMMENTS

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DEVICE-SPD-PART-1/#COMMENTS)

Introduction:

A device which diverts or limits surge current is called Surge protective devices (SPD).
SPD protect electrical equipment against over voltages caused by lightning or Switching. It is wired
in parallel to the equipment which is needed to be protected.
Once the surge voltage exceeds SPD’s rating it starts to conduct energy directly to the electrical
grounding system. An SPD has a very low resistance during this time and give low resistance path
the energy to ground. Once the surge is over it gives high resistance path to current.
SPD is previously known as Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors (TVS) or Secondary Surge
Arresters.
Underwriter laboratories ,UL 1449 Listed SPDs are now designated as either Type 1, Type 2 or Type
3 and intended for use on AC power systems rated Less than 1000vrms

Principle:

SPD is used to limit transient over voltages of atmospheric or Switching Surge and gives path to the
excessive current to earth hence limit the overvoltage to a value that is not hazardous for the
electrical installation.

Causes of Surges:

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(1) External Surge:

lightning strikes :Direct Stroke , Indirect Stroke
(2) Internal Surge:
Switching Surge:
Switching on/off of inductive loads.
Tripped circuit breakers and fuses.
Short circuits.
Malfunctions caused by the power company.
Insulation Failures:
Arcing Ground:
Ignition and interruption to electric arc.

Difference between Surge arrestor (Lighting Arrestor) and Surge

Suppressor:

Surge arresters and Surge Suppressor both are used to protect equipment from surges. But, there is
confusion between the application of surge arrestors / Lighting arrestor and surge suppressors.
The main differences between a lightning arrester and a surge arrester are its fault clearing time and
it’s position
Both are doing the same job, but still both are not same.

Lighting Arrestor / Surge Arrestor:

Surge Arresters are widely also known Lightning arresters.

Surge arresters are devices installed on Over head lines, substations etc to avoid a Lighting surge and
other Surges of an additional current/ voltage/charge due to various faults occurring.
In the past year when nonlinear / solid-state devices (computers, PLC and drives) were not used. The
Electrical Load is mostly Linear Load. Utility companies and end users were concerned with how to
protect electrical distribution systems from lightning surges to ensure that voltage surges did not
exceed the basic insulation level (BIL) of the conductor wires, transformers and other equipment.
Hence Surge arrestors / Lighting arrestors were developed for use in low, medium and high voltage
applications at various points in the transmission and distribution system.
Surge Arrestor provide low resistance path between the phase conductor and ground. LA did not
concern with the loads if it cleared within a few cycles.
Arrestors are still used in the electrical industry primarily along the transmission lines and upstream
of a facility’s service entrance.
Arrestors are available in various classes depending upon their withstand capability (e.g., station vs.
distribution class). At the service entrance location on low voltage systems (600V and below),
Lightning arrestors were designed to protect the electrical distribution system and not the sensitive
solid-state equipment.
Economically, surge arresters are be er than surge Different surge arresters are available based on
their withstanding capability. The main problem with them is that they are designed for protecting
large electrical distribution systems from lightning surges, and not for sensitive solid state
equipment.
Applications: The surge arrester is best to protect insulation of transformers, panel boards, and
wirings. However, it doesn’t work well for solid state components.
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Surge Suppressor / Surge Protector (called TVSS):

In today’s we mostly use solid-state (nonlinear) loads like electronic equipment, drives, PLCs,
computers, electronic ballasts, telecommunication equipment. Non Linear is about 70% of utility
loads. The solid-state components will be damaged by the surges.
Using Surge suppressors at the service entrance and key branch panels, the surge will be effectively
reduced to under 100V.
If a TVSS and lightning arrestor are both used at a service entrance switchboard, the TVSS will “turn
on” earlier and shunt most of the surge current. Many water-treatment plants, telecommunication
facilities, hospitals, schools and heavy industrial plants utilize TVSSs instead of surge arrestors to
provide protection against the effects of lightning, utility switching, switching electric motors.
Applications: They are used in water treatment plants, hospitals, schools, and telecommunication
facilities.

Size of Surge Protection Device (SPD) does not

depend on Panel Size:

The kA rating of an SPD (surge rating) is one of the most misleading terms. We normally use 50KA
SPD to protect 50KA panel.
The kA rating of the surge arresters has nothing to do with the fault current rating of electrical
distribution board. We can fit a 40kA surge arrester in a domestic board with a fault current rating of
less than 5kA
When a surge enters a panel, it does not know the size of the panel. So It is totally miscalculation for
use 50KA SPD for 50KA Panel
There is a normal Practice that larger panels need larger SPD, but surges are indifferent to panel
size.
The largest surge that can enter a building’s wiring is 10kA, as explained in the IEEE C62.41
standard. So why would we need a SPD rated for 100KA or 200kA.

FILED UNDER UNCATEGORIZED

About Jignesh.Parmar
Jignesh Parmar has completed M.Tech (Power System Control), B.E(Electrical). He is member of
Institution of Engineers (MIE) and CEng,India. Membership No:M-1473586.He has more than 16 years
experience in Transmission -Distribution-Electrical Energy theft detection-Electrical Maintenance-
Electrical Projects (Planning-Designing-Technical Review-coordination -Execution). He is Presently
associate with one of the leading business group as a Deputy Manager at Ahmedabad,India. He has
published numbers of Technical Articles in “Electrical Mirror”, “Electrical India”, “Lighting
India”,”Smart Energy”, “Industrial Electrix”(Australian Power Publications) Magazines. He is Freelancer
Programmer of Advance Excel and design useful Excel base Electrical Programs as per IS, NEC,
IEC,IEEE codes. He is Technical Blogger and Familiar with English, Hindi, Gujarati, French languages.
He wants to Share his experience & Knowledge and help technical enthusiasts to find suitable solutions
and updating themselves on various Engineering Topics.

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12 Responses to Selection of Surge Protective Device (SPD)-

(Part 1)

Satinder says:
May 30, 2015 at 6:33 pm
Thanku Sir
It’s valuable notes for me

Reply
basdenleco says:
May 30, 2015 at 9:49 pm
Highly Informative, Great article containing a wealth of pertinent information in an easy to digest
succinct style

Reply
Shrikanth YE says:
May 31, 2015 at 4:37 am
Dear Sir
This is really am Important Article As per i Know, I have searched for the Info about TVSS and LA in
many websites but i couldn’t find any proper detail, this article is very understanding, and i need
some more information about classification of Type-1, Type-2, Type-3 TVSS devices, If you can
explain this I will be greatly thankful to you

Reply
Darwin Guimay says:
June 1, 2015 at 1:32 am
I very much appreciate your efforts and being generous for sharing your brilliant knowledge
Sir. Thanks and regards;

Darwin R. Guimay AES – Electrical Engineer 09268743746

Reply
Viral says:
June 1, 2015 at 10:08 am
Hi Jignesh, I read your example where you explained that we can use 40KA SPD when the Panel /
DB’s KA level is 5 KA; i agree with that, but what about the other way; using say 10KA SPD for a
50KA panel?
Since at the time of designing the system, if we know that maximum 50KA can be at the point of the
panel during the fault condition, isn’t it safe to keep the KA rating of SPD same as it connects the
panel incomer in parallel? Correct me if I’m wrong on the concept above.
Regards,
Viral

Reply
Peter Nena says:
June 3, 2015 at 7:47 am

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Thank you for this. It is very convenient. Just last month I had to advice a client on Type 1 and Type 2
SPDs and I asked the Shneider Electric guys for their catalogue in vain. They didn’t even respond to
my request both on Twi er and FB and I couldn’t get the catalogue online.

Reply
AJAI KUMAR SHUKLA says:
June 5, 2015 at 7:59 am
VERY VALUABLE INFORMATION FOR TRAINEE ENGINEER

Reply
raja sen says:
June 20, 2015 at 4:34 am
Very Good and vital information

Reply
Pankaj Chavan says:
July 9, 2015 at 1:46 am
Really very very good information…

Reply
akram says:
November 17, 2015 at 7:36 am
i am doubt about this (intended for use on AC power systems rated Less than 1000vrms)

Reply
akram says:
November 17, 2015 at 7:39 am
how comw that ( Non Linear is about 70% of utility loads) , lighting and AC equipments are 90 % of
any home , then how come that Non Linear is about 70% of utility loads

Reply
rosalin says:
January 27, 2016 at 12:38 pm
this site is very much helpful for me

Reply

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