Until the introduction of solid-state devices, most AC-powered equipment was too insensitive to be upset by “dirty” or surging power. However, electrical power surges and the damage they can cause are commonplace today. Our home and workplace are comprised of solid-state devices vulnerable to surges. We deal daily with computers, office machines, data, telecommunication equipment, major appliances, etc. All of these depend on solid-state devices, which are vulnerable to surge.

Solid-state devices depend on consistent, good-quality power. A single powerful surge literally melts, welds, pits, and burns its way through solid-state circuits and components.

Device failure is often the result of surges and the cause is not detected by the repairing technician. In addition to the loss of use, the priceless stored data is lost and meaningful input or output information is turned into nonsense. The driving force to shrink device geometries to increase speed and storage capacity will continue to make solid state devices even more sensitive to AC power.

Many people think of surge damage as being caused by a single, catastrophic event such as a lightening strike. While lightning is one of the most powerful and destructive surges, it’s not always the cause of most of the surge damage. In reality, surges range from mighty to the minuscule.

Smaller surges occur several times a day, or hundreds of times an hour. Almost continuous surge can be produced by sources ranging from 250 to over 1,000 volts. Typically, they are caused by the operation of electric motors or other inductive loads such as elevators office machines, HYAC equipment and material handling equipment. Microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, lamp dimmers and countertop appliances are some of the surge sources in the home.

Powerful, random surges result from the switching of an inductive load such as an electric motor starter, arc welder, furnace ignition, compressor, etc. and these momentary surge sources range from 250 to over 3,000 volts.

Over or under voltage power conditions of 250 to 6,000 volts usually accompanies a utility switching lines to meet changes in demand, or when correcting a brownout or blackout.

While Mother Nature provides the most visible and spectacular surges in the form of lightning, the power company, your own equipment, other equipment in the building you occupy, or from a source some distance from your facility can generate the surge damage you suffer. Surges travel on AC lines, data lines, communication lines, coaxial cable, metal fences, metal conduit, metal duct work, as well as through the ground and air. Surges travel via any conductor they can find.

Surge damage can be classified into three categories:

- Hard Failures

• Glitches

• Latent Failures

Hard failures cause damage requiring repair or replacement of electrical components. Glitches usually do not cause permanent damage, just temporary damage or lost data.

Latent failures result from continuous exposure to smaller, non-catastrophic surges that erode equipment and its performance. In the end, the equipment suffers hard failure and the cause is unseen.

Noise is another problem in power lines. Conducted noise is the most destructive type. It is usually present in your AC power source and you are surrounded by these radiated noises.

Noises can come from the simplest device, such as an electric razor or a fluorescent lamp. Cars, TVs, cellular phones, electrical transformers, lamp dimmers, office machines, etc. are other examples. The list is endless. To solid-state devices, this is an invisible and lightning-fast destructive force.

A high quality surge suppression system is your first, best and only defense against these potential threats to your equipment, data and operation.

No one can guarantee to protect you from a direct and catastrophic lightning

strike. Even the best lightning protection systems have their limits. A properly designed and installed surge suppression system can provide you the best defense against all but the catastrophic direct lightning strike. It is important that a surge suppression system be just that - a system, not individual units of spot protection.

In designing the system, many factors should be taken into consideration. Every facility had some equipment that is critical to the overall operation of the facility. That equipment will probably require higher levels of protection.

How susceptible is the equipment to a surge? Equipment controlled by solid-state device is more susceptible to surge damage. Each facility is different and will require different levels of protection for perhaps even similar pieces of equipment.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) has developed a schematic showing the levels of surge severity relative to location and showing even the point of entry of the electrical line. If surge sensitive equipment is located on the same circuit as equipment that generates surges, it must have protection. The only way to properly design a system of protection is careful evaluation of each and every facility.

Different surge suppression units offer varying levels of protection. All have the same basic job, to prevent damaging voltage spikes from reaching the device it is intended to protect. More sophisticated suppression units also filter noise.

Only a thorough survey of your facility and its power supply, an examination of electrical layout, circuit plans and inventory of devices (present and future) connected to all circuits can provide the information to form a recommended plan of protection.

High quality surge suppression units, when properly applied in surge suppression systems, are one of the best investments you can make. Considering the small cost, it will be hard to find a higher return on any investment.

Why Surge Protection

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Stormin Protection Products Inc.

10749 63^rd Way N.

Pinellas Park, FL. 33782

888-471-1038 Toll Free

727-548-0867 fax

727-548-5418 Phone