THE LIGHTNING SURGE PROTECTION SOLUTIONS BY WEIDMULLER

Cre: NamLee – Weidmuller

In the engineering field, protecting electrical systems from transient surges is an essential requirement. A lightning strike incident can cause serious damage to electronic devices, industrial systems, and pose security risks. With advancements in technology, Weidmuller has developed an advanced solution for surge protection to ensure safety and reliability for electrical systems.

Weidmuller, a leading provider of electrical and automation technology, has dedicated research and development efforts to address the risk of transient surges. Combining expertise and innovation, Weidmuller has created a breakthrough surge protection system, providing peace of mind and absolute protection for electrical systems in any environment. If you are interested in protecting your electrical system from transient surges, continue reading this article to explore Weidmuller’s groundbreaking solutions.

WHAT IS SURGE PROTECTION

Surge Protective Device (SPD) is a device used to protect electrical systems and devices from the impacts of lightning strikes and sudden voltage surges. SPD works by limiting and regulating the voltage peaks and current caused by lightning and voltage surges.

SPDs are typically installed at the entry points of electrical systems, such as the main power grid, distribution system, or near critical devices such as computers, industrial machinery, control systems, and electronic devices. When there is a sudden voltage surge or lightning strike, the SPD reacts quickly and diverts the surge current to a safe path, minimizing the risk of damage and protecting critical equipment.

A typical SPD consists of components such as a lightning arrester, voltage-limiting device, and protective circuit. These components work together to minimize voltage peaks and current in transient events, protecting the system and electrical devices from potential damage.

Using SPDs in electrical systems is an important measure to ensure safety, protect equipment, and maintain stable operation of the electrical system in environments prone to lightning strikes and voltage surges.

WHY OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION IS NECESSARY

Overvoltage protection is a critical factor in electrical systems and devices. Here are some reasons why overvoltage protection is necessary:

1. Protecting devices: Overvoltage can cause damage and malfunctions to electrical devices such as computers, phones, industrial machinery, electronic devices, and many others. Overvoltage protection helps limit the peak voltage and ensures that the input voltage does not exceed the safe level for the devices.
2. Ensuring safety: Overvoltage can pose a danger to humans. For example, in the case of a lightning strike, the voltage can suddenly increase and lead to electric leakage, electrical shock, and the risk of fire or explosion. Overvoltage protection helps minimize these risks and ensures safety for users.
3. Protecting the power network: Overvoltage can cause improper activation of protective relays and control devices, resulting in power network imbalances, disruptions, or equipment failures. Overvoltage protection helps maintain the stability and reliability of the power network.
4. Protecting data: Overvoltage can lead to the loss of important data in computer systems and storage devices. Overvoltage protection helps reduce the risk of data loss and protects critical information.
5. Compliance with standards: In many countries, overvoltage protection is a mandatory requirement according to safety standards and regulations. Overvoltage protection ensures that the system and devices comply with these regulations and helps users comply with relevant laws.

In summary, overvoltage protection is a crucial factor in ensuring safety, reliability, and compliance with standards in electrical systems and devices. It helps protect devices, humans, and data from the dangers of high voltage and ensures the stable operation of the electrical system.

WEIDMULLER’S SURGE PROTECTION SOLUTION

WEIDMULLER provides surge protection solutions for industrial applications, helping to protect systems and equipment from the consequences of lightning strikes.

One of Weidmuller’s surge protection solutions is the VARITECTOR PU product line. It is a multi-stage surge protection system designed to minimize the risk of damage caused by lightning strikes and high voltage in industrial environments.

VARITECTOR PU utilizes internal protection circuits to limit the peak voltage of surges and prevent their propagation into the electrical system. It provides protection for critical devices such as PLCs, industrial computers, controllers, interface modules, electronic circuits, and other components.

Some features and benefits of VARITECTOR PU:

1. Multi-stage design: This system is designed with multiple protection levels to minimize the impact of lightning strikes and ensure that only the necessary energy is transmitted into the system.
2. High sensitivity: VARITECTOR PU is sensitive to rapid voltage and current changes and can quickly react to prevent the propagation of lightning strikes.
3. Easy installation: VARITECTOR PU is designed with a convenient structure and interface, making it easy to install and connect to existing electrical systems.
4. High reliability: With high-quality manufacturing and stringent quality testing, VARITECTOR PU ensures stable and reliable operation in harsh industrial environments.
5. Durability and longevity: VARITECTOR PU is built to withstand harsh environmental conditions and has a long lifespan, reducing maintenance and replacement costs.

With Weidmuller’s lightning surge protection solutions like VARITECTOR PU, users can enhance the protection of their systems and devices against the risks of lightning strikes and damage caused by high voltage.

* The manufacturing technology of Surge Protective Devices (SPDs)

* Standards and Classification of Lightning Sources

Classification of Type 1 and Type 2 according to IEC and Installation Conditions:

	Direct Lightning Strike	Indirect Lightning Strike
IEC 61643-1	Class I test	Class II test	Class III test
IEC 61643- 11/2011 (*)	T1 Type 1	T2 Type 2	T3 Type 3
Former VDE 0675 v	B	C	D
UL 1449 recognized				Type 1	Type 2	Type 3	Type 4
Installation Conditions	Indoors, inside the main electrical panel	Indoors, inside the distribution panel	Indoors, inside the electrical cabinet	Installation between the voltage transformer and the main distribution panel, self-protected (with built-in fuses).	Installation on the load side of the main distribution panel, additional fuses or circuit breakers may be required externally.	Installation on the line side, maintaining a minimum distance of 10 meters or more from the electrical panel to be protected.	Considered as an integral part of the lightning surge protection system.
Waveform μs	10/350	8/20	1.2/50+8/20	8/20	8/20	8/20	8/20

* The withstand voltage level of the equipment to be protected

* Technical specifications of surge protectors

Common features of surge protectors

• UC: Maximum continuous operating voltage (Selected according to rated voltage and grounding arrangements of the system).
• Up: Protection voltage (at In) is the voltage reached when the current flows through the SPD at In. The protection voltage during a lightning strike must be lower than the withstand voltage of the load.
• In: Nominal discharge current. It is the peak value of the 8/20 µs impulse waveform that the SPD can withstand at least 15 times. In is important because it corresponds to the nominal discharge current that the SPD can withstand at least 15 times, and the higher the In, the longer the lifespan of the SPD.
• Ut: Temporary overvoltage withstand capability (TOV) in case of power supply failure.

Type 1 Surge Protection:

• 𝐈𝐢𝐦𝐩: Impulse current. It is the peak value of the 10/350µs impulse current that the SPD can discharge at least once.
• 𝐈𝐟𝐢: Ability to suppress residual impulse current of the SPD using Spark gap and gas tube technology (short-circuit current of the system). This current must always be higher than the short-circuit current of the system.

Type 2 Surge Protection:

• Imax: Maximum impulse discharge current of Type 2 SPD that it can withstand once (higher Imax means higher safety margin and ability to withstand high impulse currents without damage).

Type 3 Surge Protection:

• Uoc: Open circuit voltage in Class III tests..

* Selecting Surge Protective Device

Select the SPD according to the following steps:

1. Determine the risk of direct or indirect lightning strikes (determine Type 1 or Type 2 SPD).
2. Protection voltage of the surge arrester Up – Depending on the withstand voltage of the equipment to be protected Uw.
3. Maximum impulse discharge current: Iimp or In (10/350 μs or 8/20 μs impulse wave) (refer to IEC62305 standard).
4. Grounding system of the electrical system (TT, TNC, TNS & IT).
5. Operating voltages (Uc and Ut).
6. Options and accessories for the SPD (End of life indication, plug type, safe redundancy function, auxiliary connections).

* Applications of Surge Protective Device(SPD)

Applications of SPD in electrical networks

Attention when designing SPD in the system

Applications of SPD in various fields;

• Installation in solar energy systems
• Process industry
• Wastewater treatment
• …

Some common Surge Protection Device (SPD) models

Signal line SPD

SIGNAL SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICE VSSC6TRCLFG24VAC/DC EX – 1066490000 – Purchase here
SIGNAL SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICE VSSC4 CL 24VAC/DC 0.5A – 1063730000 – Purchase here
SIGNAL SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICE VSSC4 SL 24VAC/DC 0.5A – 1063840000 – Purchase here

Power Surge Protective Device

POWER SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICE VPU AC II 1+1 R 300/50 – 2591070000 – Purchase here
POWER SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICE TYPE 3 VPU III R 230V/6KV AC – 1351650000 – Purchase here
POWER SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICE VPU AC II 0 300/50 – 2591010000 – Purchase here
POWER SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICE TYPE 3 VPU III R 230V/6KV AC – 1351650000 – Purchase here

Surge Protective Device for Solar

SOLAR SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICE VPU PV I+II 3 R 1000 – 2530620000 – Purchase here
SOLAR SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICE VPU PV II 3 R 1000 – 2530180000 – Purchase here
SOLAR SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICE VPU PV I+II 3 R 1500 – 2530590000 – Purchase here
SOLAR SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICE VPU PV II 3 1000 – 2530550000 – Purchase here

Please refer to some other Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) HERE

CÔNG TY CỔ PHẦN TỰ ĐỘNG TIẾN HƯNG 
TIEN HUNG AUTOMATIC CORPORATION 
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