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I n t e r n a t i o n a l T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n U n i o n
ITU-T K.28
TELECOMMUNICATION (05/2012)
STANDARDIZATION SECTOR
OF ITU
Summary
Recommendation ITU-T K.28 defines the parameters, test circuits and performance values of
thyristor-based surge protective devices (SPDs) used for the protection of telecommunication
installations (for example, exchange equipment, access equipment, telecommunication lines and
subscriber or customer equipment).
This Recommendation should be used for the harmonization of existing or future specifications
issued by thyristor-based SPD manufacturers, telecommunication equipment manufacturers,
administrations or network operators.
History
Edition Recommendation Approval Study Group
1.0 ITU-T K.28 1991-03-18 V
2.0 ITU-T K.28 1993-03-12 V
3.0 ITU-T K.28 2012-05-29 5
Keywords
In-line SPD, leakage resistance, overvoltage protector, surge protective device, SPD, thyristor.
NOTE
In this Recommendation, the expression "Administration" is used for conciseness to indicate both a
telecommunication administration and a recognized operating agency.
Compliance with this Recommendation is voluntary. However, the Recommendation may contain certain
mandatory provisions (to ensure, e.g., interoperability or applicability) and compliance with the
Recommendation is achieved when all of these mandatory provisions are met. The words "shall" or some
other obligatory language such as "must" and the negative equivalents are used to express requirements. The
use of such words does not suggest that compliance with the Recommendation is required of any party.
ITU 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the
prior written permission of ITU.
1 Scope
This Recommendation applies to thyristor-based surge protective devices (SPDs) to be used for
primary protection against surges due to lightning or power disturbances on telecommunication
circuits, in accordance with [b-ITU-T K.11]. It covers the following device parameters:
a) Characteristics
1. Overvoltage function
i. Impulse limiting voltage
ii. Leakage current and insulation resistance
iii. Holding current
2. Series element
i. Hold current
ii. Trip current
iii. Time-to-trip
iv. Impulse let-through current
3. Signal
i. Capacitance
ii. Longitudinal conversion loss (LCL)
iii. Insertion loss
iv. Return loss
b) Ratings
1. Rated peak impulse current
2. Impulse durability
3. AC durability
c) Overload parameters
1. High impulse current
2. Power fault
d) Identification and marking.
This Recommendation does not deal with:
a) mountings for SPDs and their effect on arrester characteristics;
b) hybrid SPDs where the thyristor voltage limiting is augmented by other technologies;
c) mechanical dimensions;
d) quality assurance requirements;
e) units containing heat-coils.
3 Definitions
− 20 lg(r ) = 20
(Z − Z ')
(Z + Z ')
where Z is the characteristic impedance of a transmission line ahead of a discontinuity, or the impedance of a
source, and Z' is the impedance after the discontinuity or the load impedance seen from the junction between
the source and the load.
3.1.11 surge protective device (SPD) [b-ITU-T K.72]: Device that restricts the voltage of a
designated port or ports, caused by a surge, when it exceeds a predetermined level.
NOTE 1 – Secondary functions may be incorporated, such as a current-limiting device to restrict a terminal
current.
NOTE 2 – Typically, the protective circuit has at least one non-linear voltage-limiting surge protective
component.
NOTE 3 – An SPD is a combination of a protection circuit and holder.
3.1.12 time-to-trip (PTC thermistor) ttrip [ITU-T K.82]: Under specified ambient conditions,
starting from the time the fault current (Ifault) is applied, the time-to-trip is the time required for a
device to transition into a tripped state.
NOTE – An overcurrent protector shall have passed into the tripped condition as indicated by the measured
voltage exceeding 90% of the supply open-circuit voltage.
3.1.13 trip current (self-restoring overcurrent limiter), It [ITU-T K.82]: Lowest current which
will cause a trip event at a specified temperature and within a time specified in the product
specification.
3.1.14 trip event (self-restoring overcurrent limiter) [ITU-T K.82]: Event of rapid increasing
resistance in response to an overcurrent surge.
3.1.15 two-port [b-IEV 131-12-65]: Device or network with two separate ports.
3.1.16 user agreed values [ITU-T K.82]: Test parameters and circuits agreed between major
stakeholders (e.g., user and manufacturer) for a specific application.
5 Conventions
The original version of ITU-T K.28 [b-ITU-T K.28] mainly used material from the United States of
America standards available at that time. The definition of a semiconductor arrester assembly
(SAA) was intended to denote a surge protective device (SPD) that used thyristor technology as the
main overvoltage limiting element. Unfortunately, the term "semiconductor" covers a large range of
voltage limiting components other than just a thyristor component. For this reason this version of
ITU-T K.28 uses thyristor-based SPD (or simply SPD for brevity) rather than SAA.
For the protection of twisted pair cables an SPD can be connected in shunt (Figure 1-a) or in-line
(Figure 1-b) with the cable. Shunt SPDs can be tested in the in-line SPD test circuits by shorting the
corresponding port input and output terminals together. In-line SPDs can incorporate series
overcurrent protectors, either temperature or current operated (Figure 1-c). Additional tests are
required to measure the overcurrent protection element operation, surge withstand and surge current
let through.
I or Θ
I or Θ
a b c
6 Electrical parameters
Table 1 – Preferred leakage current, insulation resistance and voltage limiting values
d)
Insulation resistance Impulse limiting voltage, VP
Insulation resistancee) VIR/IIR
Terminal pair (MΩ) Voltage under Voltage under
applied rated impulse fast impulse
voltagee), VIR Basic leakage Enhanced leakage conditionsa), e) conditionsb), e)
(V) level level (V) (V)
IIR < 5 µA IIR <1 µA
±65 >13 >65 <90 <100
±200 >40 >200 <265 <280
±265 >53 >265 <340 <355
±300 >60 >300 <400 <420
±400 >80 >400 <550 <580
c) c) c) c)
V W X Y Zc)
a)
For rated impulse values, see clauses 7.1.1.1 and 7.1.1.2.
b)
For fast impulse values, see clauses 7.1.1.3 and 7.1.1.4.
c)
Product documentation values or user agreed values.
d)
The maximum voltage limiting may be set by either equipment protection requirements
(e.g., [ITU-T K.21] or [ITU-T K.20] or [ITU-T K.45]), or by technology capability. Values shown are
typical.
e)
The transverse voltage values can be lower if an additional voltage limiting element is connected
between two input terminals. These voltage and insulation resistance values should be specified in the
product documentation or be the user agreed values.
100
UNACCEPTABLE
Current — A
AREA
10
ACCEPTABLE
AREA
1
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000
Time — s
6.3.1.2 Criteria
The measured capacitance value or change in capacitance must not exceed the product
documentation, user agreed or Table 3 values.
6.3.2 Longitudinal conversion loss (LCL)
This parameter is also called longitudinal balance. It is a measure of how much of a common-mode
signal is converted into a differential signal. This is a key measurement to assess the matching of
in-line SPD series elements.
6.3.2.1 Values
The LCL value decreases with increasing frequency (see Table 3).
The test method is given in clause 7.3.2.
6.3.2.2 Criteria
The measured LCL must be within the product documentation, user agreed or Table 3 values.
6.3.3 Insertion loss
The insertion loss value represents how much signal transmission is lost by the SPD being in
circuit.
6.3.3.1 Values
The insertion loss values in Table 3 cover SPDs with and without series overcurrent protectors.
The test method is given in clause 7.3.3.
6.3.3.2 Criteria
The measured insertion loss must not be greater than the product documentation, user agreed or
Table 3 values.
6.4 Ratings
Ratings are usually verified. The rated parameter value is applied to the SPD; then, after the test, the
SPD is checked for degradation.
6.4.1 Rated peak impulse current
The rated peak impulse current is the maximum level of a defined impulse that may be applied
without causing degradation or failure.
6.4.1.1 Values
There are many waveshapes that are used for impulse ratings. Two common long duration
waveshapes are 10/700 and 10/1000. The applied impulse levels are given in Table 4.
The test method is given in clause 7.4.1.
6.4.1.2 Criteria
After the test the SPD shall still meet its insulation resistance and maximum limiting voltage values.
7 Test methods
For these tests, the SPD should be mounted as detailed in the product documentation or user
agreement.
Unless otherwise specified, all tests shall be carried out under standard atmospheric conditions for
testing as given in clause 5.3 of [b-IEC 60068-1]:
• temperature 15°C to 35°C;
• relative humidity 25% to 75%;
• air pressure 86 kPa to 106 kPa.
With the exception of capacitance, all other thyristor parameters are temperature sensitive. The
characteristic values follow physical laws and the change with temperature can be predicted.
Clause 6 gives indications on how the characteristics vary. Ratings involve high current operation
and the parameter variation is not very predictable. For rigorous designs, the SPD performance
should be checked at the maximum and minimum operating temperatures of the intended
application.
The impulse generators used for testing are detailed in Annex A.
7.1 Characteristics
7.1.1 Impulse voltage limiting
This test measures the SPD limiting voltage for the following conditions:
a) Rated peak impulse current
1) transverse mode, both input terminals, both impulse polarities (Figure 3)
2) longitudinal mode, both impulse polarities (Figure 4);
b) Fast impulse
1) transverse mode, both input terminals, both impulse polarities (Figure 5)
2) longitudinal mode, both impulse polarities (Figure 6).
7.1.1.1 Transverse mode rated peak impulse current voltage limiting
Figure 3 shows the test circuit used. Ganged switches S1 and S2 short one input terminal and feed
the impulse to the other input terminal. An impulse is applied in switch position 1 and then repeated
with the switch in position 2. The polarity of the generator impulse is then changed. The impulses
are then repeated with the switches in positions 1 and 2. For each impulse the peak residual impulse
voltage occurring at the output terminal is recorded, in switch position 1 voltage V1 and switch
position 2 voltage V2.
The impulse generator short-circuit amplitude is set to SPD rated current level. To avoid thermal
accumulation, allow at least a one or two second waiting time between impulses.
2 VP2
VP2
R2 = 36 Ω
1.2/50-8/20 SPD
Combination 1 VP1
S2
Generator
Figure A.1 2 VP2
1.2/50-8/20 R2 = 36 Ω SPD
Combination VP1
Generator
Figure A.1
VP2
S 1
IIR SPD
2
VIR
D1 D2
Input Output
Port port V R
Impulse Waveform
SPD
Generator recorder
VBAT
I = -IH
V2
V1
I = IH
I = -It
V2
V1
I = It
I = -Ifault
V2
V1
I = Ifault
R4 = 36 Ω
1.2/50-8/20
Combination
I1 I2
Generator
NA
Input Output
port port
CMI LBB
SPD
Z0
NA
Input Output
port port
B B
SPD
NA Network Analyser
B Balun (Balanced to Unbalanced Transformer)
NA
Input Output
port port
B
R
SPD Z0
R1
SPD
VAC
8.1 Marking
Legible and permanent marking shall be applied to the SPD, as necessary, to ensure that the user
can determine the following information by inspection:
a) manufacturer;
b) year of manufacture;
c) device number or code.
If requested and agreed, the customer's identification should be marked on each device.
8.2 Documentation
Documents shall be provided to the user so that from the information in clause 8.1, the user can
determine the following additional information:
a) appropriate device parameters as set out in this Recommendation;
b) component mounting requirements and processes.
9 Ordering information
The following information should be supplied by the user:
a) drawing giving all dimensions, finishes and termination details;
b) type or model;
c) quantity;
d) quality assurance requirements.
Impulse generators
(This annex forms an integral part of this Recommendation.)
A.1 Introduction
This Recommendation refers to four types of impulse generator. This annex provides more details
on these generators.
R2 = 36 Ω
1.2/50-8/20
Combination
Generator
R3 = 25 Ω
UC S1 R2 = 15 Ω
R4 = 25 Ω
C1 = 20 µF R1 = 50 Ω C2 = 0.2 µF
L1 = 1.5 µH R1 = 0.17 Ω
UC S1
L1 = 1.5 µH R1 = 0.17 Ω
C1 = 84 µF
Series E Overall network operation, telephone service, service operation and human factors
Series J Cable networks and transmission of television, sound programme and other multimedia signals
Series L Construction, installation and protection of cables and other elements of outside plant
Series Y Global information infrastructure, Internet protocol aspects and next-generation networks
Printed in Switzerland
Geneva, 2012