Surge protection devices (SPDs) are designed to prevent excess voltage at the terminals of sensitive equipment. Class one SPDs protect electrical installations against direct lightning strikes, while class two SPDs are the main protection systems installed in an electrical switchboard.
However, even a combination of these devices may not protect equipment sufficiently in manufacturing environments, due to the presence of potentially-damaging, low level transient surges.
As standard SPDs are only voltage-triggered, they cannot protect against rapid changes in frequency. In order to address this problem, transient dissipation filters (TDFs) for SPDs have now been launched.
The new range of TDF devices gives existing SPDs the ability to track the frequency of electrical current waveforms. Low-level transient surges in the electrical system can be detected and filtered before they harm sensitive equipment.
The TDF devices protect against a spectrum of surges encountered in electrical environments and are not limited to impulse surges originating from the power distribution system. The devices can detect transient surges generated in the local facility or by lightning strikes, amongst others.
The new TDF devices have been launched by CP Automation and Energy Control Systems and are seen as particularly relevant for multi-phase applications that feed sensitive equipment. The range is 50% smaller than previous products and is designed to be used as add-on modules for existing Class 1 and 2 unit surge protection devices, such as surge arrestors.