What Should You Know About Purchasing or Specifying a Surge Protective Device?

Safety and performance. While there are many varying criteria to be considered during the decision-making process for selecting an appropriate surge protective device (SPD), if the design engineer neglects the importance of either of these two areas for the products being specified, there can be serious implications for the client.

NEMA LS 1, Low Voltage Surge Protection Devices

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published LS 1-1992 (R2000), a standard publication which provides engineers, specifiers, and end-users (consumers) with the information they need to select an appropriate SPD.  Download the LS 1 Specification Sheet (PDF, 1 page excerpt from LS 1).

ANSI/IEEE Exposure Guidelines

To provide consumers with a logical and methodical means for selecting
electrical transient disturbance protection, the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
developed C62.41-1980/IEEE Std. 587-1980 as an electrical transient exposure
level/surge severity categorization guideline. 

It was updated in 1991 and is referred to as ANSI/IEEE C62.41-1991. By identifying the various levels of potential transient exposure in a given facility and then specifying products developed in accordance with the ANSI/IEEE levels, today’s purchaser is assured of a cost-effective and reliable power quality environment.

Additional resources:

• ANSI/IEEE C62.41-1991 (available for purchase from Global Engineering)
• LS 1 Specification Sheet (PDF, 1 page excerpt from LS 1)
• Specifications and Test Parameters for Surge Protective Devices. (article; PDF, 3 pages)

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