Surge Protection


The need for surge protection that covers the “whole house” has become even greater with the current popularity of smart devices, more fully integrated home automation, and a greater reliance on electrical equipment for day-to-day needs. Unfortunately, when storms or other factors make an impact, the resulting surges and spikes can have devastating effects, often destroying sensitive electronics and everyday appliances—everything from HDTVs to refrigerators to computers. Even when the damage isn’t total, it can still cause a noticeable decline in electronic device performance.

How can you fully protect your home and workplace environment from the effects of surges and spikes? As an authorized carrier of Leviton’s complete offering of surge protector outlets—also referred to as surge arrestors—OneStopBuy.com provides an effective and reliable answer. At the basic level of surge protectors, Leviton has plug-ins and strips for connecting everyday devices like tablets and high-definition televisions into. A higher tier of devices includes surge protectors made for guarding main electrical panel set-ups. Next, another level of defense is represented by the addition of Meter Socket Adapters, which are installed at the exact location of electrical service provision. Finally, Leviton has surge arrestors intended for higher-level industrial protection requirements, including wired-in and point-of-use devices.


Building a Powerful Network of Surge Protectors
The most effective way to maintain dependable levels of support for sensitive electrical equipment against surges and spikes is through a distributed network of surge protective devices (SPDs). Creating this, of course, requires the installation of surge arrestors that can handle disruptions at building entrances and sub-panels. Leviton’s various surge protectors for different levels of surge suppression and high-energy transient protection provide a great deal of choices for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

 

Adherence to Important UL 1449 Standards
Since the 3rd Edition of Underwriters Laboratories’ (UL) 1449 standard was released in 2009, manufacturers have been careful to implement changes in surge protective devices to better address performance needs. There were three notable changes made with the latest UL 1449. First, there is now the added requirement of secondary surge arresters. Since these are usually installed outside and ahead of equipment at service entrances, it is important that they are made with the same safety measures considered in the manufacturing of load side devices.

 

A second change with UL 1449 is the inclusion of a Nominal Discharge Current Ratings (IN) current test, something which allows surge arrestors' endurance against electrical effects to be tested according to UL regulations. Another addition by UL, the test for Voltage Protection Rating (VPR), is more robust and reliable than previous testing methods. This is performed at a higher amperage level of 3000 Amps to demonstrate protection capabilities at greater levels.


Four Distinctive Types of Protection
Along with changes in UL requirements for surge protectors and surge arrestors, identifications of Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 4, and Type 5 have also been added to clarify how each device ought to be used within a greater system.


Type 1 surge protectors and surge arrestors are found inside of a main power distribution system, most often on the main service panel or the supply side of service disconnect overcurrent devices. Type 2 products, on the other hand, are related to entrance and/or branch circuit panels. Another category, Type 3 surge protectors, can be installed in any location that is at least 30 feet away from the load side of branch circuits. These include products like surge receptacles and point-of-use devices that rely on a corded connection.


The last two categories of surge arrestors, Type 4 and Type 5, include assemblies and discrete surge suppression components that are connected with leads or enclosed, respectively.