We frequently ask ourselves:
The article below answers these significant questions.
airports, etc. are all inter-connected by a web of metallic conductors from which we get our power and data.
Increasingly, the components within our electronic systems are much smaller than before and therefore more susceptible to damages, especially from those caused by lightning. With that said, let’s think about how prevalent our electronics are in our homes and places of work. Due to our dependency on our electronics, protection is a priority.
Let us explain simply the way the damage is done: our electronic components can withstand up to 1500V (source EN 60664-1). A lightning induced transient is capable of transmitting up to 6000V into these electronics, so imagine the risk our electronics are at in the face of lightning.
Down-time –Factories can’t process orders, we are at the petrol station, but we can’t fill up our cars, the computer systems at that bank won’t turn on, etc. The economic loss here is the loss of revenue. In our homes, the Smart Fridge and TV aren’t working (the food is ruined and even worse – there is no TV to watch!), the kids can’t get their homework done… As you see it all results in domestic disharmony.
Now that we’ve established the role and the importance of why surge protection devices are important, let’s address the essentials questions…
If my building has structural protection, do I need Surge Protection?
Where Structural Lightning Protection is required (these are the metallic conductors that you see on the external walls of buildings), Type 1 Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) are also required for metallic electrical services. A Type 1 SPD is essential as the standard assumes that when lightning strikes a building (200kA current), 50% of the lightning current (100kA) will flow through the buildings lightning protection conductors and the other 50% through any connected, metallic services, i.e. power lines, data lines, gas & water pipes .
Further information is available in the Standard relating to the design of Lightning Protection Systems – BS:EN 62305, but to keep things clear, the answer is YES.
If your building has structural lightning protection fitted, we recommend to have at least a Type 1 Surge Protector fitted where power cables enter and exit the building. Why exit points too? – because cables supplying outdoor lighting, gates, small buildings can be a source of entry for transient over -voltages.
Another way to think about it. You went ahead and protected the building itself from a direct lightning strike with a faraday cage, but there are still holes in the cage where lightning induced transients can enter. Surge protection devices “plug in those holes” and create further protection.
Are there standards relating to the installation of Surge Protection?
Type 1 + Type 2 Surge Protection Device Kingsmill Industries
Type 2 Surge Protection Device Kingsmill IndustriesType 3 Surge Protection Device Kingsmill Industries
We aim to make life easier for our engineers with the installation process. To facilitate, we have two easy-to-use product selection charts that take the above into account, and lead you directly to the correct Kingsmill Industries’ product.
You can find these charts in our main product catalogue https://bit.ly/KingsmillCatalogue or on our website at www.kingsmillindustries.com.
The tables are also available below:
In a similar way, it is also important to protect any data/telephone lines entering the building.
“Is Surge Protection Important?”
“If my building has structural protection, is there a need Surge Protection?”
“Are there standards relating to the installation of Surge Protection?”
The article below answers these significant questions.
“Why is Surge Protection important?”
Today we live in a world that is highly dependent upon the continuous and reliable operation of electronic systems. In-fact, we take it for granted that they will always work when we need them, but for this to happen reliably, our systems need to be robustly designed.Kingsmill Industries lightning A building or structure is relatively a small target for lightning to hit, but our homes, offices, factories, hospitals,airports, etc. are all inter-connected by a web of metallic conductors from which we get our power and data.
Increasingly, the components within our electronic systems are much smaller than before and therefore more susceptible to damages, especially from those caused by lightning. With that said, let’s think about how prevalent our electronics are in our homes and places of work. Due to our dependency on our electronics, protection is a priority.
Let us explain simply the way the damage is done: our electronic components can withstand up to 1500V (source EN 60664-1). A lightning induced transient is capable of transmitting up to 6000V into these electronics, so imagine the risk our electronics are at in the face of lightning.
Introducing the role of a Surge Protection Device, commonly known as an SPD.
It is important that the surge protection device not only withstands at least a 6,000V transient over-voltage but also only “lets through” a maximum of 1,500V. This will prevent damages to the electronic systems downstream of the SPD. It is a CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS to not have access to the service provided by the electronic system/equipment. That is the most costly aspect, and it often far outweighs the replacement cost of the hardware. So, let’s dig deeper into this meaning of “consequential loss?”Consequential lossDown-time –Factories can’t process orders, we are at the petrol station, but we can’t fill up our cars, the computer systems at that bank won’t turn on, etc. The economic loss here is the loss of revenue. In our homes, the Smart Fridge and TV aren’t working (the food is ruined and even worse – there is no TV to watch!), the kids can’t get their homework done… As you see it all results in domestic disharmony.
Now that we’ve established the role and the importance of why surge protection devices are important, let’s address the essentials questions…
If my building has structural protection, do I need Surge Protection?
Where Structural Lightning Protection is required (these are the metallic conductors that you see on the external walls of buildings), Type 1 Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) are also required for metallic electrical services. A Type 1 SPD is essential as the standard assumes that when lightning strikes a building (200kA current), 50% of the lightning current (100kA) will flow through the buildings lightning protection conductors and the other 50% through any connected, metallic services, i.e. power lines, data lines, gas & water pipes .
Further information is available in the Standard relating to the design of Lightning Protection Systems – BS:EN 62305, but to keep things clear, the answer is YES.
If your building has structural lightning protection fitted, we recommend to have at least a Type 1 Surge Protector fitted where power cables enter and exit the building. Why exit points too? – because cables supplying outdoor lighting, gates, small buildings can be a source of entry for transient over -voltages.
Another way to think about it. You went ahead and protected the building itself from a direct lightning strike with a faraday cage, but there are still holes in the cage where lightning induced transients can enter. Surge protection devices “plug in those holes” and create further protection.
Are there standards relating to the installation of Surge Protection?
Let’s look at the documents available to us. The BS:EN 62305 series of documents outline the methodology for both calculating “the risk of damage” and “how to set about designing a protection system”
- BS:EN 62305-1 General Principles
- BS:EN 62305-2 Risk Management
- BS:EN 62305-3 Physical Damage to Structures and Life Hazzard
- BS:EN 62305-4 Electrical and Electronic Systems within Structures
Things to keep in mind when completing an assessment:
- The same applies as before in regards to Structural Lightning Protection based off the Standard. In other words, a Type 1 SPD is required as 50% of the lightning current will flow through any connected metallic services, so it is imperative to stop this current flowing into the building.
- In circumstances that does not require Structural Lightning Protection but there is still a risk of damage from Indirect Lightning Activity, (remember transients can still flow into the building as close as 1 km away) then a Type 1 SPD is required if overhead power lines are connected directly to the building. Yet, if the power supplied is through buried or underground cables, then a Type 2 SPD is required along with a Type 1.
Before selecting the SPD part number we need to have the following information:
- The Risk Assessment which provides the Lightning Protection Level (LPL) and the Class of Lightning Protection System (LPS), expressed as I, II, III and IV.
- The earthing system of our power supply, whether it is TN-C; TN-S; TN-C-S or TT, which is determined by the authority supplying power to the installation.
- Location of the protector determined from either a “drawing review” or a “site survey”. We highly recommend the latter since installations can vary from the original “as built drawings” over time. The location of the protector within the building is important on the deciding factor of the type of SPD that will be used in the unit.
We offer a range of devices for:
- Telephone lines
- Coaxial lines – CATV, antennas
- Instrumentation, control and signaling lines
Our other offers include products for specific applications such as:
- Photovoltaic (PV) systems
- LED street and industrial lighting
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
