Sources of Transients and Surges

Surge protection products are designed to help protect against damaging electrical surges on power and communications lines caused by lightning and other switching events. Although lightning is the most spectacular form of externally generated surges, it is only one source of over-voltage. Other sources include the switching of power circuits, the operation of electrical equipment by neighbouring industries, the operation of power factor correction devices, and the switching and clearing of faults on transmission lines. It is important to note that lightning does not need to directly strike a power line for such damage to occur; a strike several hundred meters away can induce large damaging transients, even to underground cables.

It is estimated that 70 to 85% of all transients are generated internally within one’s own facility by the switching of electrical loads such as lights, heating systems, motors and the operation of office equipment. Modern industry is highly reliant on electronic equipment and automation to increase productivity and safety. The economic benefits of such devices are well accepted. Computers are commonplace and microprocessor-based controllers are used in most manufacturing facilities. Microprocessors can also be found embedded in many industrial machines, security & fire alarms, time clocks and inventory tracking tools. Given the wide range of transient sources and the potential cost of disruption, the initial installed cost of surge protection can readily be justified for any facility.