Surge protection devices (known as SPDs) are one of the only effective methods of reducing the damage that occurs inside electronic equipment when power transients occur. All computer and data processing equipment has a threshold that cannot be breached, with regard to electrical current, before the circuitry is permanently damaged. While industrial equipment may have higher thresholds than consumer or residential versions, it operates with the same principals of overload. Consumer versions of equipment can generally be adequately protected from electrical surge damage with residential grade SPDs that can be purchased at most home stores. Typical surge levels that are seen in residences are often not the same levels that are seen in industrial facilities. Power surges that are seen in residential areas are typically transformer failures that distribute a surge to the homes and businesses connected to that grid, and typically don’t require devices stronger than those which can be purchased over the counter. Industrial facilities are another story entirely.
When people think of “industrial” levels of products, they are generally referring to a system that is comparable to a “consumer” version, only constructed with far greater capacities and of more robust materials. Industrial equipment is often expected to be subjected to far harsher environments and operate under worse conditions than consumer products. It is expected to function in a way that is greater than the expectations of a consumer product. This describes correctly the types of equipment used in “industrial facilities and installations” to provide products and services for public consumption. These components will usually have a greater purchase price, and require more in the way of repair and maintenance than a consumer version. As a result, one of the largest expenses of industrial facilities is the ongoing repair and replacement of equipment that is damaged, often by power surges, both accidentally produced and natural.
One of the challenges that industrial installations face every day is inclement weather and the lightning activity that is a result of storms. Industrial facilities are sometimes without lightning protection, and can also be magnets for lightning strikes as their associated equipment is exposed and may not be surrounded by taller structures. While the damage to the structure which is actually struck by lightning is difficult to avoid, many businesses find that the majority of the costs associated with these strikes happen to the equipment that is directly connected to that structure through power lines. The very transfer lines that allow this equipment to effectively run exposes it to overvoltage transients which will reach it unobstructed and unmitigated if SPDs are not installed as a precautionary measure. These protection devices break the connection between the structure that has been struck and the operating equipment the moment that a transient is detected, grounding that electrical surge to earth. The most effective setups involve multiple, redundant protection devices installed at strategic points along the power lines as well as at junction boxes and in other areas where a surge can couple into the lines. These devices are also constructed as “industrial grade” meaning they are created using materials that can withstand both ongoing weather exposure and the surge that is created by a lightning strike. The housings are far more robust and they employ technology that is generally not found in lesser devices.
Raycap is a leading manufacturer of industrial strength power protection for industrial applications as well as residential applications that need a higher grade of protection. Their Strikesorb, Rayvoss and other product lines can be utilized to effectively protect the largest to the smallest facilities. When you need a greater level of electrical protection in order to protect your investments, call Raycap.
