Surge protection devices (SPDs) protect against power surges using technologies like MOVs, GDTs, and SADs.

JMV LPS Limited has been at the forefront of electric safety product manufacturing and service provision for decades. We've encountered and mitigated a wide range of electrical safety hazards. As May is National Electric Safety Month, let's take this opportunity to upgrade our knowledge of the most important electric safety products and solutions.

In this article, we shall explain to you in-depth the core components and the technology on which surge protection devices are built which is the reason for their defensive attributes.

WHAT ARE SURGE PROTECTION DEVICES INTENDED TO DO?

Surge protection devices are installed in a tap-off arrangement between a live wire (carrying high voltage to each appliance) and the earth wire. This setup, in parallel, is designed to manage overvoltage spikes or power surges in the electrical system by redirecting them to the earth. Typically, SPDs consist of nonlinear components, thermal protection mechanisms, and indicators to signal when they reach the end of their lifespan.

THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND THE SURGE PROTECTION

Surge protection devices use various core technologies tailored for specific applications. Each module's architecture is expertly designed to meet the necessary protection level. Key technologies include MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor), GDT (Gas Discharge Tube), SAD (Silicon Avalanche Diode), or a hybrid of these components.

Metal oxide varistor

The metal oxide component-based technology is the most commonly used in surge protection devices. This voltage-dependent device changes its resistance based on the applied input voltage. It is a robust, cost-effective, and easy-to-integrate solution but tends to degrade over time. Due to these aging issues, it is not highly recommended for critical and sensitive devices. Additionally, while they have a high clamping voltage, they are not sufficiently capable of handling too many voltage spikes.

Silicon avalanche diode

The silicon-based diode is similar to MOVs but offers clamping voltages closer to the normal peak voltage of the AC waveform, making it suitable for surge arresters in data and network devices. These diodes can withstand higher transient voltage magnitudes and respond more quickly compared to MOVs.

There is no single best technology for surge protection, as each component has its own advantages and disadvantages. To leverage these benefits, components are often used in combination to provide the necessary protection for different devices. Hybrid solutions offer customization, combining the best aspects of each technology to meet specific requirements. At JMV LPS Limited, we design and optimize standard-compliant electric safety products tailored to client and site needs.

Learn more about our surge protection and other electrical safety devices. Reach out to us for assistance from our expert team!