EE314|Electrical Systems Design

ELECTRICAL SAFETY: Voltage Surge Protection

Course Coordinator & Lecturer: Mr. Hamendra Reddy

EE 314
Contents

• Overcurrent protection
• Earth leakage protection
• Overcurrent vs Overvoltage protection
• Standards requirements
• Circuits

2 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific

EE 314
So far in overcurrent protection…
• Overcurrent protection
– Reduce chances of fire: Causes i2Rt heat in conductors that could lead
to fire if not managed well.
– Protection against electrical shock (ventricular fibrillation): Circuit
breaker/fuses work best for severe overload (worst case being short
circuit condition) when fault currents reach over 5x rated value.
• Breaker time is stipulated by all international standards (AS 3000/BS
7671) as 0.4 seconds for final sub-circuits where portable hand held
apparatus would be plugged in. and 5 seconds for other circuits.
– Circuit breaker is only protects human life in the circumstances when
human body bridges active an neutral. HOWEVER, protection
depends on the circuit breaker type or setting at the source end of
the circuit.
• Hence it can be safely concluded that C/B an/or fuses (the
device that is equipped to detect overcurrent mainly suffices
fire protection)
3 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific
EE 314
Human Protection and Earthing
• Earthing circuit
– A redundant conducted reticulated in the low voltage AC wiring that it
connected to all exposed and accessible conducting parts of
appliances and fixtures to allow low impedance path if active to earth
breakdown occurs. This will allow the circuit breaker to detect the
fault easily.
– Earthing also allows any unbalanced currents (in 3-phase) and leakage
currents to exit.
• Leakage currents can occur in heaters between heating elements and the
appliance body since they are mainly made of metals. Standards require a
minimum resistance of 10 kiloOhms.
• Human protection against electrical shock
– A residual current device (RCD) is used with a general setting of any earth leakage more then
10mA should isolate the circuit within 0.4seconds. It detects the vector difference between the
active and neutral currents. So anyone touching just the active conductor will have currents
flowing to ground therefore there will be a difference between active and neutral currents.

4 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific

 Voltage Surge Protection and
EE 314
IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2
• What causes voltage surges?
– Large starting currents in adjacent circuits.
– Transient surges.
– LIGHTNING!
• How does it affect circuits?
– Higher voltages means providing larger potential for the charge to
flow effectively pushing the components beyond limits before they
breakdown.
• IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2
– recommended surge protection levels for indoor and outdoor electronic equipment
connected to the mains power lines.
– for outdoor applications, requires the recommended surge protection level of 6 kV/3
kA for low exposure conditions and, 10 kV/10 kA for high exposure conditions.

5 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific

 Voltage Surge Protection and
EE 314
IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2
• SPD connection scheme

Source: Philips Application Notes: Protecting LED systems in accordance with IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2;
Transient Surge Requirements; 2011
6 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific
 Voltage Surge Protection and
EE 314
IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2
• SPD connection scheme

Source: Philips Application Notes: Protecting LED systems in accordance with IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2;
Transient Surge Requirements; 2011
7 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific
 Voltage Surge Protection and
EE 314
IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2
Category C SPD Standard tests Optional test
1.2/50 μs Voltage 100 kHz Ring Wave
generator for
8/20 μs Current front-of-wave
Minimium open- generator response
circuit voltage Minimium open-
evaluation Current to be driven circuit voltage
Exposure to be applied to SPD through the SPD² evaluation
Low 6kV 3kA 6kV
High 10kV 10kA 6kA
¹ The scope of these tests is limited to SPDs, in contrast with all the other recommended tests that may be applied to
equipment other than SPDs.
² Values shown for the current are applicable for each phase of the SPD. In contrast with a test applied to equipment
for the purpose of assessing its response to the surge environment, a test applied to characterize the performance
of an SPD requires that the specified current be driven through the SPD. For the low exposure, this can be
accomplished with a typical Combination Wave generator. For the high exposure, two
separate generators, in two successive tests, must be used to apply the specified values.
³ For low exposure tests, if a Combination Wave generator is used instead of two separate generators, the generator
charging voltage has to be adjusted to obtain the stated current amplitude.

8 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific

 Voltage Surge Protection and
EE 314
IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2
• Combination wave open circuit voltage

Source: Philips Application Notes: Protecting LED systems in accordance with IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2;
Transient Surge Requirements; 2011
9 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific
 Voltage Surge Protection and
EE 314
IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2
• SPD categories staircase

Source: Philips Application Notes: Protecting LED systems in accordance with IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2;
Transient Surge Requirements; 2011
10 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific
 Voltage Surge Protection and
EE 314 IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2
Voltage Surge Protection Types ANSI/UL 1449-2006.
• Type 1- A permanently connected SPD intended for installation between the
secondary of the service transformer and the line side of the service disconnect
overcurrent device, as well as the load side, including watt-hour meter socket
enclosures and intended to be installed without an external overcurrent
protective device. Also previously known as surge arrestors with rating of 10kA
~ 20kA for discharge current
• Type 2- A permanently connected SPD intended for installation on the load side
of the service disconnect overcurrent device, including SPDs located at the
branch panel. <1000V. Previously known as transient voltage surge suppressor
(TVSS).
• Type 3- Point of utilization SPDs, installed at a minimum conductor length of 10
meters (30 feet) from the electrical service panel; e.g. cord connected, direct
plug-in, receptacle type SPDs installed at the utilization equipment being
protected. The distance (10 meters) is exclusive of the conductors provided with
or used to attach the SPD.
• Type 4- Component SPDs, including discrete components as well as component
assemblies. Must be tested for the installed location, i.e. Type 1, Type 2, Type 3.

11 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific

 Voltage Surge Protection and
EE 314 IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2
Parameters to consider when selecting voltage SPD
• Nominal voltage – should match the utility system voltage where the device is to be installed
• MCOV – The Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage, this is the maximum voltage the device
can withstand before conduction (clamping) begins. It is higher than the nominal system
voltage.
• Nominal Discharge Current (In) – is the peak value of current, selected by the manufacturer,
through the SPD having a current waveshape of 8/20 where the SPD remains functional after
15 surges.
• VPR – Voltage Protection Rating. A rating per UL 1449 Third edition, signifying the “rounded
up” average measured limiting voltage of an SPD when the SPD is subjected to the surge
produced by a 6 kV, 3 kA 8/20 µs combination waveform generator. VPR is a clamping voltage
measurement that is rounded up to one of a standardized table of values. The standard VPR
ratings include 330, 400, 500, 600, 700, etc. As a standardized rating system, VPR allows the
direct comparison between like SPDs (i.e. same Type and Voltage).
• SCCR– Short Circuit Current Rating. The suitability of an SPD for use on an AC power circuit
that is capable of delivering not more than a declared rms symmetrical current at a declared
voltage during a short circuit condition. SCCR is not the same as AIC (Amp Interrupting
Capacity). SCCR is the amount of “available” current that the SPD can be subjected to and
safely disconnect from the power source under short circuit conditions. The amount of
current “interrupted” by the SPD is typically significantly less than the “available” current.
• Enclosure rating – ensures that the NEMA rating of the enclosure matches the environmental
conditions at the location where the device is to be installed.

12 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific

 Voltage Surge Protection and
EE 314
IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2
• MOV connection scheme

Source: Philips Application Notes: Protecting LED systems in accordance with IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2;
Transient Surge Requirements; 2011
13 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific
 Voltage Surge Protection and
EE 314 IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2
Traditional circuit for SPD

Source: EDN magazine: A circuit simplification for AC power supply surge protection devices

14 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific

 Voltage Surge Protection and
EE 314 IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2
Simplified circuit for SPD

Source: EDN magazine: A circuit simplification for AC power supply surge protection devices

15 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific

 Voltage Surge Protection and
EE 314 IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2
GDT vs MOV
MOV GDT
Fast response Slower response (gas needs to
be
Lower ratings
Lower life cycle

3kA/20us waveform joule dissipation is required

Source: EDN magazine: A circuit simplification for AC power supply surge protection devices

16 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific

 Voltage Surge Protection and
EE 314 IEEE & ANSI C62.41.2
Circuit

3kA/20us waveform joule dissipation is required

Source: Wikipedia

17 © 2014 H.Reddy, The University of the South Pacific