Surge Protection
The unsung hero of operational resilience and safety
Schneider Electric’s David Williams explains the role of surge protection devices in managing electrical risks
T
ransient overvoltage events can have serious consequences for organisations that rely heavily on electronic systems. A single surge can halt production, corrupt data, and damage vital infrastructure - oſten at considerable financial and operational cost. Beyond the immediate disruption, these incidents can also present safety risks to workers.
As digitalisation accelerates, these risks are intensifying. With more systems connected across networks and facilities, a single transient event can propagate rapidly, multiplying its effect across devices and operations.
Small surges, big consequences Transient overvoltage events pose a real threat to business-critical systems and can lead to unexpected and unplanned downtime. Manufacturing facilities have experienced production halts when voltage spikes have damaged motors, drives and robotic systems. In fact, research from IDS-INDATA, suggests that downtime will cost UK and European manufacturers £80bn this year. At a time when businesses are facing multi-pronged headwinds, with profit margins often under 10%, most have little buffer against disruption.
IT infrastructure is equally vulnerable; data centres servers may crash, resulting in data loss or corruption.
Compliance starts with protection Looking beyond equipment concerns, transient overvoltage events can present safety hazards, including fire risk and electrical shock leading to potentially serious injury.
With ever evolving wiring regulations and updates to improve energy efficiency, there is an increasing expectation that businesses must proactively manage electrical risks. In practice, this means adopting robust protection measures to comply with regulations. Protecting people, equipment and operations cannot be an afterthought.
Long-term business impact Beyond the immediate operational impact, the effects of repeated transient overvoltage events are
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often underestimated. Equipment lifespan may be shortened, and maintenance costs way higher than they should be.
Repeated exposure to transient overvoltage can degrade sensitive electronic equipment, including servers, networking devices and industrial control systems. Even in the absence of immediate failure, the cumulative stress can accelerate component aging, leading to increased maintenance requirements and reduced operational lifespan. Powering a safer, more resilient future Ensuring operational continuity and the integrity of electrical assets demands proactive risk management. Transient overvoltage can’t be eliminated entirely, but it can be effectively controlled.
Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) provide the most practical and economical defence, preventing the costly downtime, equipment damage and safety hazards associated with overvoltage incidents. By safely diverting excess voltage to earth, SPDs shield critical equipment from harm. Even the best-engineered installations contain weak points, and without coordinated surge protection, those vulnerabilities will be exposed.
Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) are typically deployed in a coordinated, multi-stage approach to ensure comprehensive protection across an electrical installation: • Type 1 SPDs are installed at the origin of the
electrical installation, typically where the supply enters the building. They are designed to divert high-energy surges caused by direct lightning strikes and are mandatory in buildings equipped with a structural Lightning Protection System or connected to overhead power lines. These devices can handle the most severe surge conditions.
• Type 2 SPDs serve as the primary protection layer for all low-voltage installations. They are installed at main or sub-distribution boards and protect against transient overvoltage events resulting from indirect lightning strikes or switching operations.
• Type 3 SPDs provide localised protection for sensitive electronic equipment such as servers, computers and control systems. These are installed as close as possible to the equipment and must be used in conjunction with a Type 2 SPD. They are designed to handle short- duration voltage and current transients, with a lower discharge capacity suited for fine protection.
For modern organisations, transient overvoltage protection is no longer just a safety measure - it’s a cornerstone of operational strategy. Those that prioritise resilience, safeguard their assets and ensure compliance will not only minimise risk but also strengthen their competitive position in the digital economy.
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