What is Type 1 surge protective device?
Type 1 surge protective device are installed on main electrical panels to protect against high-level surges caused by direct lightning strikes and are designed to protect electrical systems from overvoltage damage. It is the first line of defense for electrical systems, protecting equipment in buildings by directing surge currents underground.
Type 1 SPDs are capable of handling very high surge currents and are critical in areas with frequent lightning strikes. Characteristics of Type 1 SPD: Current wave 10/350 µs.
Where would a Type 1 SPD be installed?
Type 1 SPD is mainly installed in areas with a high risk of direct lightning strikes. Its function is to discharge flow. Its main consideration is its ability to withstand direct lightning strikes.
Type 1 SPDs are typically installed at the point of entry of the power supply into the building, close to the main electrical panel. It should be as close as possible to the protected equipment, and the SPD connection line should be as short and straight as possible. This location allows the Type 1 SPD to protect the entire building’s electrical system from damage from external surges.
What is the rating of Type 1 SPD?
These ratings are critical to factors such as product selection and protection. Specific ratings vary by manufacturer and model. The four critical ratings for Type 1 SPD include maximum continuous operating voltage, nominal discharge current, maximum discharge current, and voltage protection level.
- Maximum continuous operating voltage. This rating represents the maximum effective signal voltage of the SPD for long-term operation. This is also the maximum voltage between lines or between lines and ground under rated leakage current conditions that do not affect the normal operation of the circuit in which it is located.
- Nominal discharge current. This rating indicates that the SPD can continue to withstand passing lightning current amplitudes without damage under standard test conditions. This is an important indicator to test the practicality of the equipment.
- Maximum discharge current. This rating indicates the lightning current amplitude that the SPD can withstand for a short time. If it lasts too long, it will be damaged.
- Voltage protection level. Also called residual voltage, it refers to the voltage across the SPD when a current with a specified waveform amplitude flows through it. This parameter is used to protect the impact withstand voltage of the protected equipment. Its value needs to be lower than the impact withstand voltage of the protected equipment.
Considering the installation environment of the product, values such as operating temperature also need to be paid attention to.
T1 SPD application scenarios
T1 SPD is commonly used in infrastructure and public facilities such as residences, data centers, photovoltaic farms, electric vehicle charging stations, and street lighting systems.
Residential: For residential construction areas with frequent lightning activity, T1 SPD is essential to protect the safety of equipment in the residence as well as personal safety.
Datacenter: Ability to prevent unexpected equipment downtime and protect critical data stored.
Photovoltaic farm: Prevent surge current from causing damage to terminal energy storage equipment or other equipment.
Electric vehicle charging stations: Prevent surge current from causing damage to electric vehicles during charging and provide protection for valuable property.
Street lighting system: Protect lamps from losing their function due to the impact of surges, providing basic protection for drivers in cars when driving at night.
There are two things you need to consider before purchasing and using T1 SPD: whether it needs protection and whether it is worth protecting.
Whether protection is needed: Areas subject to frequent thunder and lightning. Large application scenarios. Application scenarios with frequent human electrical operations.
Is it worth protecting: High-value equipment. Facilities with significant downtime costs, such as data centers. Facilities to ensure personal safety, such as emergency exit signs.
How do I know if I need to install a Type 1 SPD in my building?
Type 1 SPDs are designed to protect electrical systems from external surges. Consider whether the building is located in a lightning-prone area, whether installing SPD complies with local building standards and regulations, and whether there is sensitive or valuable equipment in the building. Consider these circumstances to understand whether Type 1 SPD needs to be installed.
Can Type 1 SPD be used alone?
Can be used alone, but is not recommended. Only installing Type 1 SPD can only protect against external surges, and equipment is often affected by internal surges, such as surges generated by human operation of switches. Combined with Type 2 SPD and Type 3 SPD, it can provide more comprehensive protection.
How often do Type 1 SPDs need to be maintained and inspected?
There is no uniform regulation that is suitable for all situations. It can be considered based on the installation environment, the operating time of the equipment, and the maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturer.
In places where equipment is installed in harsh environments, maintenance and inspections must be more frequent. Equipment that has been used for a long time will also require more frequent maintenance and inspections.
After the lightning weather is over, it is also necessary to check the status of the SPD in time so that it can be replaced in time to prevent the next electrical event.
What is the lifespan of Type 1 SPD?
The internal electronic components of the surge protector SPD, such as gas discharge tubes, varistors, etc., will cause performance degradation and degradation when subjected to current surges.
In addition, components are affected by temperature, humidity, etc., and their performance will gradually decline, and there is a life limit. If it is operated close to the specification limit for a long time, its lifespan will be greatly reduced.
If I already have a Type 2 SPD, do I still need to install a Type 1 SPD?
Type 2 SPDs protect electrical distribution systems against electrical problems caused by surges inside buildings, but they are essentially unable to withstand surges from the outside, such as high-energy surges such as lightning strikes.
To obtain the most comprehensive surge protection, it is recommended to install a Type 1 SPD and adopt a graded surge protection strategy to minimize the impact of internal and external surges on the electrical system.