Transient overvoltages are significant increases in voltage that occur in fractions of a second and can cause devastating damage. But where do surges come from? Like with all threats, to manage them effectively it is vital to establish their origins. There are two main sources of transient overvoltages being the consequential impacts of lightning strikes (which can occur in excess of a kilometre away from the location of the surge); or through switching of sizeable loads be they transformers, large motors, light-rail systems, or through capacitive loads through the power supply.
About Surge Protection
Transient overvoltages are significant increases in voltage that occur in fractions of a second and can cause devastating damage. But where do surges come from? Like with all threats, to manage them effectively it is vital to establish their origins. There are two main sources of transient overvoltages being the consequential impacts of lightning strikes (which can occur in excess of a kilometre away from the location of the surge); or through switching of sizeable loads be they transformers, large motors, light-rail systems, or through capacitive loads through the power supply.
Fault currents can cause fires, explosions, the destruction or degradation of electronic equipment or components and can lead to operational downtime, the destruction of machinery or a facility, or even loss of human life. Surge damage is a major factor cited by insurance company as reasons for claims, and what is disappointing about this fact is that they can nearly always be avoided. Surge damage is now a more pressing threat than ever before due to the increased linking and networking of electronic systems, the increased integration density of microelectronic components and the greater presence and incorporation of electronic systems.
Surge damage is not always visible, or immediately acknowledged. Sometimes a series of surges over a period of time can degrade a system without any noticed loss of function, yet the system may continue to deteriorate to a point where even a slight fluctuation can result in complete system failure. As so many of our building systems are networked or integrated within one another this presents further potential problems, as a surge on a network may damage every element as opposed to just the first element it encounters.
It is essential to remember that external lightning protection systems, be they comprised of copper tape, or similar, are designed to channel the fault lightning current safely to earth. However, they cannot prevent fault currents being inducted through the electromagnetic field of the current into various power or data cables, or through other conductive elements.