Transtector AC Surge Protection
AC surge protectors, also known as surge protection devices (SPDs) or transient voltage surge suppressors (TVSSs), are devices that are inserted into the alternating current (AC) line to protect electrical, data communication and telecommunication equipment from damage caused by lightning and electrical transient surges. The AC surge protector short-circuits to electrical ground any transient voltage that goes above a certain threshold while allowing the flow of normal current to remain unaffected.
Transtector IMAX Series is a hybrid silicon diode/thermally protected MOV design with line and load bidirectional protection. This series features field-replaceable suppression modules, visual and remote status monitoring and is Motorola R-56 approved. APEX IMAX HT Series is engineered for 120/208, 120/240 and 120 VAC applications. It features an outdoor EMI shielded enclosure, form C remote alarm contacts and low VPL at high induced surge currents. E3PA Series provides military grade, fail-safe fusing with continuous protection to downstream equipment. PV Series provides thermally protected MOV technology with an audible alarm and disable switch, visual and remote status indication per phase and EMI/RFI noise filtering. SP Series provides protection for Type 1 and Type 2 applications with MOV technology, LED Status indication and a compact design. I2R IEP Series are replaceable DIN rail mounted surge protectors featuring SASD technology, line and load bidirectional protection and visual and remote status indication. I2R T125 Series are replaceable DIN rail mounted suppression modules for 230 VAC single phase and 3-phase WYE and provide high capacity MOV protection. I2R 75K Series is for modular single-phase, split-phase, three-phase WYE, delta and high-leg delta. They are safe-fail and self-protected with a surge capacity of 75 kA.
Products
What causes power surges?
- Lightning strikes are one of the most common causes of power surges and can affect an electrical system even if the strike occurs miles from the electrical source. Conductors buried underground can still transmit the energy of the strike to electrical equipment located indoors. Lightning rods and other grounding equipment can help, but do not completely eliminate the risk.
- Switching equipment such as motors, transformers and other equipment can cause a sudden change in load, power loss and disconnection of circuit breakers. This sudden switching can cause overvoltage, leading to power surges. The closer the switching occurs to the electrical system, the more threat it will pose to the equipment.
- Operations that a user performs can cause surges, but typically have a very short duration. Examples include: starting a motor, opening circuit breakers and welding equipment.
What is the best way to stop power surges? By using transient surge suppressors, the problems associated with most transient surges can be eliminated. They provide protection by either blocking or shorting the voltage over its operating limit to ground, protecting circuits downstream of the suppressor. The best way to approach this is in tiers.
- Tier 1 – The protection is closest to the incoming power source. This is the main protection for a particular location.
- Tier 2 – This is in an area that will be protecting multiple devices that have branch protection. An electrical control panel would be an example of this type of application.
- Tier 3 – Individual protection. In the case of an industrial control panel, this would be protection for each instrument entering the panel.