Type 1 surge arresters
Type 1 is that device particularly suitable for lightning induced overvoltages. Basically it means that they are particularly recommended in places subject to frequent thunderstorms, areas in which atmospheric discharges are therefore very accentuated. Type 1 is installed under the meters in both homes and offices. The Type 1 arrester has the indispensable characteristic of discharging lightning charges to the ground, recognizable by their specific wave form, even repeatedly without any damage. The type 1 surge arrester can also be found combined with the type 2 surge arrester which is usually installed inside the control unit electrician in Charleston, WV.
Mandatory surge arrester
We remind you that according to the current legislation (Standard CEI 64-8 Variant 5) the installation of devices suitable for protection against overvoltages is mandatory in cases where the effects of the latter can be dangerous for people’s lives, in public buildings and in structures of significant cultural heritage, in the places where commercial activity is carried out and, more generally, in areas with a high public density.
Excluding these cases, by law, the arresters are to be installed after an assessment of the risks calculated in order to determine their need, but they are strongly recommended in any environment in order to prevent problems with the appliances and environments in general.
How does a surge arrester work?
As promised in the post Lightning and risk of overvoltages , today the entire article will be dedicated to an in-depth study on surge arresters .
The surge protection devices (also called SPD – Surge Protection Device) are devices that allow you to maintain all our equipment from surges and are characterized by two important advantages: they protect us from potential damage to the plant and equipment and can also be entered in an existing plant.
A surge arrester is like a container connected between L-PE and which has an infinite impedance (Z) which serves not to modify the operation of the system.
With the arrival of an overvoltage, this lowers the impedance at the ends of the container allowing the absorption of the generated current. However, the drainage of the overvoltage keeps the voltage at the ends of the container constant, and our equipment will not suffer damage if the voltage is compatible with the level of immunity and insulation of the equipment itself.
