Recent surge protection devices are available for most service voltages up to 600 Vac, and come in two protection levels – 15 and 40 kA/phase (Imax).
The ABB Low Voltage Products division has released the UL 1449 3rd Edition certified OVR DIN Rail surge protective devices (SPD). The devices provide long service-life protection for valuable equipment from damage caused by transient surges such as from lightening strikes, upstream equipment, and utility load switching. The recent OVR DIN Rail products are approved as UL Type 4 recognized components and are usable in Type 2 applications, covering permanently connected SPDs intended for installation on the load side of the service equipment overcurrent device. The new UL 1449 3rd Edition places SPDs into five different categories. Types 1, 2 and 3 refer to SPDs installed at specific locations, and Types 4 and 5 refer to components used in SPD configurations. The new OVR DIN Rail SPDs will carry the UR mark, UL’s certification for recognized components.
The UL 1449 standard for SPDs has been the primary safety standard for surge protection since 1985. Prior to UL 1449 3rd Edition, the devices covered by the standard were known as Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors (TVSS), operating on circuits not exceeding 600 V. With the 3rd Edition these devices are now known as SPDs and may operate on power circuits not exceeding 1,000 V.
ABB says the SPDs are of the same high quality of the 2nd Edition devices, with improved safety features that respond to the more rigorous testing required by the UL 1449 3rd Edition standard. The new product range uses fast acting metal-oxide varistors to limit overvoltage to values compatible with the sensitive equipment connected to the network. Extensive damage and expensive repairs can result from transient surges if surge protection is not present. These SPDs are well suited for critical power facilities such as hospitals and data centers, renewable energy installations, water and wastewater systems, and other surge-sensitive manufacturing and commercial operations.
A few highlights:
- Pluggable cartridges: when one or more cartridges reaches end-of-life, the electrical circuit need not be isolated, nor does the entire device need removal. Simply pull the dead cartridge from its housing and plug in a new one.
- Integrated auxiliary contact: optional remote monitoring capability. Wiring an integrated 3-point 1A volt-free contact allows remotely monitoring the SPD’s operational state.
The surge protection devices are available for most service voltages up to 600 Vac, and come in two protection levels – 15 and 40 kA/phase (Imax). They are used in conjunction with OVR NE12 Enclosed SPDs at the service entrance, creating a multi-level approach to protection. ABB recommends the installation of OVR surge protective devices wherever uptime is a critical element of a facility or operation.
ABB
Abb.com.us
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