¿Qué es un dispositivo de protección contra sobretensiones y cómo funciona?

A surge protective device helps you keep your electronics safe from sudden spikes in electricity. You use it to protect things like computers, TVs, and refrigerators from damage when lightning strikes or power lines fail. If you install one, you lower the risk of fires and keep your devices working longer.

Imagine plugging your phone into a wall outlet during a thunderstorm. A surge protective device acts like a shield, stopping extra electricity from reaching your phone.

Principales conclusiones

• A surge protective device (SPD) protects your electronics from sudden voltage spikes, helping to prevent damage and extend their lifespan.

• Installing an SPD reduces the risk of electrical fires and personal shocks, making your home or business safer.

• Choose the right type of SPD based on your needs: Type 1 for whole-house protection, Type 2 for branch panels, and Type 3 for individual devices.

• Regularly check and replace your surge protective devices every two to three years to ensure they work effectively.

• Using surge protection can save you money by avoiding costly repairs and downtime caused by electrical surges.

Surge Protective Device Overview

Definición

You use a surge protective device to guard your electronics and electrical systems against sudden spikes in voltage. These spikes, called surges, can come from lightning, damaged wiring, or even too many devices plugged into one circuit. When a surge happens, the device reacts quickly and keeps your equipment safe.

Surges can also create safety hazards within industrial environments. For instance, an electrical fire could result from damaged equipment or wiring after a surge. Surge protection helps prevent such safety incidents by reducing the risk of equipment malfunction and overheating.

A surge protective device stands out from other electrical protection devices because of its unique features and components. Here is a table that shows what makes it different:

You find surge protective devices in homes, offices, and factories. They work with different types of electrical systems and follow strict safety standards, such as IEC 61643-11 for power supply systems and IEC 61643-21 for data lines.

Main Purpose

The main purpose of a surge protective device is to keep your electronics and electrical systems safe from damage. Power surges can happen for many reasons:

• Damaged wiring

• Disruptions in electrical flow

• Lightning strikes

• System overloads

When you use a surge protective device, you lower the risk of:

• Peligro de descarga personal

• Fires

• Total equipment failures

• Partial equipment failures

• Intermittent equipment failures

• Shortened life cycles for any electrical device

Surge protective devices respond in nanoseconds, much faster than other protective measures. They absorb high levels of surge energy, up to 10 kV, and have little impact on signal transmission. Here is a comparison table:

You see surge protective devices in many places because they protect everything from small gadgets to large industrial machines. The market for these devices keeps growing. Here is a chart showing the growth rate from different sources:

Surge protective devices must meet international safety standards. Manufacturers test and certify them to make sure they work as promised. You can trust these devices to protect your home or business and help your electronics last longer.

How Surge Protective Device Works

Detecting Surges

You rely on a surge protective device to watch over your electrical system every second. It checks the flow of electricity and looks for sudden spikes in voltage. When a surge happens, the device reacts almost instantly to protect your equipment.

Different technologies help the device detect these surges. Here is a table that shows how each technology works:

You find these components inside many surge protective devices. MOVs absorb extra voltage, GDTs use special gas to redirect energy, and SADs respond quickly to protect sensitive electronics.

The speed of response matters. Some devices react faster than others. Here is a table that compares response times:

When you choose a surge protective device, you want one that reacts quickly. Fast response means better protection for your electronics.

Diverting Excess Current

After detecting a surge, the device must move the extra electricity away from your valuable equipment. You can think of it as a safety valve that opens when danger appears.

Here is how the process works:

1. The surge protective device senses a voltage spike and creates a low-resistance path to the ground.

2. The device sends the excess current safely away from your electronics.

3. By moving the current, the device lowers the voltage that reaches your equipment, keeping it safe.

You see different ratings for how much current each type of surge protective device can handle. Here is a table that shows typical ratings:

A higher rating means the device can handle bigger surges. You use Type 1 for main service entrances, Type 2 for branch panels, and Type 3 for point-of-use protection.

Tip: You should always check the rating before you install a surge protective device. The right rating gives you better protection for your home or business.

A surge protective device works by watching for trouble, reacting fast, and sending dangerous electricity away from your equipment. You keep your electronics safe and avoid costly repairs.

Types of Surge Protective Devices

Surge protective devices come in three main types. Each type protects your home or business in a different way. You can choose the right one based on where you want protection and what equipment you need to keep safe.

Service Entrance

You install a service entrance surge protective device at the main electrical panel, right where power enters your building. This device acts as the first line of defense. It stops large surges, such as those from lightning or power grid problems, before they reach your wiring and outlets. You protect your entire home or business with this type. Service entrance devices handle high surge currents, often up to 20kA, and do not need extra overcurrent protection.

Tip: If you want the best protection for your whole house, start with a service entrance surge protector.

Branch Panel

You place a branch panel surge protective device at subpanels or distribution boards inside your building. This device gives you a second layer of protection. It catches any surges that get past the main panel or come from inside the building, such as from large appliances turning on and off. You use branch panel devices to protect groups of rooms or specific areas. These devices often require extra overcurrent protection and handle moderate surge currents.

Point-of-Use

You plug point-of-use surge protective devices directly into wall outlets near your sensitive electronics. These devices protect single items, such as computers, TVs, or medical equipment. Point-of-use protectors work well for stopping small surges that slip through the main and branch panels. They are effective for sensitive electronics, but you should use them as part of a complete surge protection plan for the best results.

Common devices you protect with point-of-use surge protectors include:

• Television

• Personal computer

• Fax machine

• Home automation system

• Equipo estéreo

• Modem

• Microwave oven

• Alarm clock

• Electronic telephone

• Printer

• Security system

Note: Point-of-use surge protectors help keep your electronics safe, but they work best when you also have whole-house surge protection in place.

Benefits

Equipment Protection

You rely on your electronics every day. Surge protective devices help you keep these devices working by stopping sudden spikes in electricity. When you install surge protection, you lower the risk of damage to computers, televisions, and other important equipment. You avoid costly repairs and replacements.

• Operational interruptions cost money. A power surge can shut down a data center, stop a factory line, or disrupt a telecom tower. You lose revenue every minute your equipment sits idle.

• Many facility owners report that surge protective devices reduce downtime and equipment failure in their buildings.

• Surge protection keeps your electrical systems reliable. You maintain steady operation and avoid unexpected breakdowns.

Surge protective devices protect against electrical failures, helping you keep your equipment running smoothly.

Safety

You want your home or business to be safe. Surge protective devices play a key role in protecting you from electrical hazards. These devices redirect extra energy away from your equipment and into the ground. You lower the risk of fires, shocks, and other dangers.

1. Most facility owners believe surge protection reduces downtime and equipment failure. A recent survey found that 79% of owners saw a big improvement after installing these devices.

2. Surge protective devices shield your electrical system from lightning, power switching, and faults. You keep sensitive equipment safe and improve the reliability of your electrical system.

The Surge Protective Devices Committee’s standards work helps society by increasing the reliability, uptime, and productivity of electrical equipment and systems.

Cost Savings

You save money when you protect your electronics from surges. Businesses often lose revenue when their systems fail. Surge protective devices help you avoid these losses.

You invest in surge protection to avoid expensive repairs and lost productivity. Over time, you see real savings and keep your business running smoothly.

Instalación

Where to Install

You want to place surge protective devices in spots that give your home or business the best protection. Start with the main electrical panel. This panel controls all the power that enters your building. You also need to look at subpanels, which supply power to different areas. Sensitive electronics, like computers and entertainment systems, need extra protection. Kitchen and laundry appliances, garage outlets, and outdoor outlets also benefit from surge protection.

Common installation locations include:

• Cuadro eléctrico principal

• Subpanels

• Areas with sensitive electronics

• Kitchen and laundry appliances

• Garage and outdoor outlets

Electrical codes help you install surge protective devices safely. Article 285 of the National Electrical Code gives you clear rules. Only listed devices meet safety standards. You must avoid using surge protectors on ungrounded systems. Devices need a short circuit current rating that matches or exceeds the available fault current.

Type 1 or Type 2 surge protection devices are required for all services supplying dwelling units. You should place SPDs within or next to the equipment. Type 1 SPDs work on either side of the main panel. Type 2 SPDs protect branch circuits and go on the load side only.

Usage Tips

You keep your surge protective devices working well by following simple steps. Unplug the device before cleaning. Use a dry or slightly damp cloth to wipe away dust. Keep the device away from moisture to prevent corrosion. Test your outlet with an outlet tester to make sure it is grounded. Replace surge protectors every two to three years, or sooner if you notice problems. You may want to install a whole-home surge protection system for extra security.

Tip: Regular checks and cleaning help your surge protective devices last longer and work better.
Note: Surge protectors lose effectiveness over time. Replace them as needed to keep your electronics safe.

You can protect your electronics and keep your home or business safe by using a surge protective device. These devices help prevent costly repairs, data loss, and downtime. Studies show they manage overvoltages well, but you need to install and maintain them properly for the best results.

• Protects your equipment from damage

• Helps you avoid expensive replacements

• Keeps your electrical system reliable

Consider adding surge protection to your electrical system to improve safety and extend the life of your devices.

PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES

What devices should you protect with a surge protective device?

You should protect computers, TVs, refrigerators, and gaming consoles. Surge protection also helps with routers, printers, and smart home devices. Any electronic item that costs money or stores important data benefits from surge protection.

How often should you replace your surge protective device?

You should replace your surge protective device every two to three years. If you notice signs of wear, such as lights not working or physical damage, replace it sooner. Regular checks help you keep your devices safe.

Can you install a surge protective device yourself?

You can install point-of-use surge protectors by plugging them into outlets. For whole-home or panel surge protection, you should hire a licensed electrician. Professional installation ensures safety and proper function.

Do surge protective devices work during lightning storms?

Surge protective devices help protect your electronics during lightning storms. They redirect extra electricity away from your equipment. You should unplug sensitive devices during severe storms for extra safety.