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What are Surge Protection Devices?

Electrical, Information

Essential Safeguards for Business Electrical Assets

For businesses in the UK who rely heavily on electronic systems and equipment, protecting these electrical assets is paramount. Surge protection devices (SPDs) are critical components in safeguarding these assets from electrical surges that can cause significant damage. As one of the leading electrical testing contractors in the UK, we are huge fans of Surge Protection Devices and recognise their vast importance in protecting electrical equipment.  But what are SPDs? How do they function and why they are indispensable for businesses?

Understanding Surge Protection Devices

A surge protection device, also known as a transient voltage surge suppressor, is designed to protect electrical equipment from voltage spikes. These spikes, or surges, are brief overvoltage events that can damage or destroy electronic circuits. SPDs work by diverting the excess voltage to the ground, thus preventing it from reaching and harming connected devices.

Electrical surges can originate from various sources:

Lightning Strikes: Direct or indirect lightning strikes can induce high voltage surges in power lines and electrical installations.
Power Line Disturbances: Fluctuations in the power supply, such as those caused by switching operations in the grid, can lead to surges.
Electromagnetic Interference: Nearby industrial equipment or large motors starting and stopping can induce transient surges.
Internal Sources: Everyday operations within a business, like turning on or off large appliances, can generate surges that affect sensitive equipment.

How Surge Protection Devices Work

SPDs are installed at various points in an electrical system to intercept and neutralise voltage spikes. They typically consist of metal oxide varistors (MOVs), gas discharge tubes (GDTs), or a combination of components that absorb and dissipate the excess energy.

They have different stages of operation:

Normal Operation: Under normal voltage conditions, SPDs remain inactive, allowing the electrical current to pass through without interference.
During a Surge: When a surge occurs, the SPD activates, redirecting the excess voltage away from the protected equipment and grounding it safely.
Post-Surge: Once the surge is mitigated, the SPD resets to its normal state, ready to respond to future surges.

Importance of Surge Protection for Businesses

Modern businesses rely on sensitive electronic equipment, from computers and servers to communication systems and industrial machinery. Surges can damage these assets, leading to costly repairs or replacements. Equipment failure due to surges can result in significant operational downtime. For businesses, this translates to lost productivity and potential revenue losses. Many businesses store critical data on electronic systems. Surges can corrupt data, leading to loss of valuable information and compromising business continuity. Electrical surges can pose fire hazards, especially if they cause overheating or explosions in electrical equipment. SPDs help mitigate these risks, ensuring a safer working environment.

Investing in SPDs is a cost-effective measure compared to the potential losses incurred from damaged equipment, data loss, and operational downtime. Our electricians will always advise that businesses have suitable surge protection devices installed to protect their vital electronic devices.

Types of Surge Protection Devices

SPDs come in various types, each suited to different levels of protection:

Type 1 SPDs: Installed at the main electrical panel, they protect against external surges from lightning or power grid disturbances.
Type 2 SPDs: Positioned at distribution panels, they offer secondary protection to internal circuits.
Type 3 SPDs: Used for point-of-use applications, such as protecting individual devices or appliances.

Implementing Surge Protection in Businesses

To effectively protect electrical assets, businesses should adopt a layered approach to surge protection. Our electricians can best advice you on what level of surge protection you need in your business.  We begin by evaluating the potential sources of surges and identify critical equipment that needs protection.
Based on the risk assessment, we can install the necessary types of SPDs at key points in the electrical system.

Our electrical testing team can then provide planned inspection services  to periodically inspect and maintain SPDs to ensure they are functioning correctly and replace them if they show signs of wear or damage.

As part of our services, we always ensure to educate employees of a business about the importance of surge protection and proper use of electrical equipment to prevent unnecessary surges.

We live in an age where electronic systems are the backbone of business operations. Surge protection devices are not just a luxury but a necessity. They provide a crucial defence against electrical surges that can cause extensive damage, ensuring the longevity, reliability, and safety of electrical assets. By investing in SPDs, businesses can protect themselves from the costly consequences of electrical surges, securing their operations and maintaining business continuity.

Electrical Installations

With offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Belfast and Aberdeen, we are well equipped to provide class leading installation services across the whole of the UK.

We are NICEIC and Select Approved Electrical Contractors providing Manned electrical 24 hour Call-out Service nationwide and are the first choice for some of the country’s leading businesses when it comes to electrical services. With an approach which combines traditional values with innovative thinking, we know that for our customers, a faulty light switch requires the same level of service and professionalism as a multi-million pound electrical installation project.

When we complete electrical installation work, our NICEIC approved electricians ensure a quality service while following strict safety guidelines.

Electrical Testing

All electrical wiring and installations deteriorate over time and to ensure their safe use in the work place, regular inspection and testing should be completed to check that all your electrical equipment is in a satisfactory condition for use by you and your employees in the workplace.  These inspection and testing safety checks are commonly referred to as ‘periodic inspection and testing’.  Each time your business completes its periodic inspection and testing, you will be issued with an Electrical Inspection Condition Report (EICR).

At HF Electrical, we provide Periodic Inspection and Testing services across the UK.  All our testing and inspection services are offered with required certification for fixed wiring in line with our NICEIC regulations.

Find out more

To find out more about our electrical services, please contact us today. Our electrical installation services can cover projects up to the value of £2.5m and with the ability to tap into a wide range of varied services and associated consultants, all with a skills base and command of technologies which are second to none, we are more than just another service contractor.

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