In many industrial applications, transient overvoltages are a real possibility and it is essential to protect your business from damage. Let’s take closer look at this kind of hazard, discuss the importance of surge immunity testing equipment, and talk about the best kind of protection.
What are Transient Overvoltages?
“Transient” refers to something temporary in nature and only lasting for a brief amount of time. Overvoltages are surges of additional voltage within a power system. This voltage is defined at being above the normal operating voltage for a short period.
When we talk about overvoltage protection we are referring to high frequency power surges. These surges may be caused by:
- Lightning
- Solar flares
- Man created electromagnetic pulses (in military applications, this is designed to be used as a weapon)
By far, the most common and destructive type of overvoltages are power spikes or surges caused by lightning, and this is what most surge immunity testing equipment focuses on.
Is Your Facility Safe?
There is only way to know if your building and operation is safe from lightning generated power surges, and it takes special surge testing equipment. This kind of equipment is capable of creating a power surge, measuring the reaction to the surge, and this is done without any physical damage to the electrical system.
Why Use Surge Immunity Test Equipment?
Testing is very important because you and your employees may be vulnerable to power surges and be unaware. For example, there might be a problem with your lightning arrest system, your power system or your structure may not be properly grounded.
Testing can let you know everything is fine or uncover hidden weakness which can be corrected.
The Importance of Surge Protector Equipment
You can protect a facility with proper lightning arrest systems but it is also a good idea to have individual surge protection for equipment. This ensures your computers, motors, and other important electrical equipment is safe from power surges from a wide range of sources.
Surge protection devices can be installed easily. Some work as power strips and all you need to do is plug the appliance in to the strip. Some surge protectors can be mounted in circuit breaker panels to protect entire circuits.
Protecting communications systems is very important. For example, telephone and Ethernet cables should have surge protection. These cables are not designed to carry high amounts of current and could easily melt and create a fire hazard, in addition to burning up valuable equipment.
Surge immunity testing equipment can be expensive and this is why many companies choose to rent instead of buy.