What Is A Surge Arrester And Why Are They Installed On Used Industrial Generators?
A surge arrester is a protective device designed to limit voltages on industrial generators by discharging or bypassing the surge current. The surge arrestor helps prevent continued flow to the ground current. This device does not absorb lighting nor stop lighting, which is a common reason for power grid surges. Rather, the device diverts the lighting strike, limits the industrial generator voltage, and protects the installed generator.
There are many applications for surge arresters. Examples include protecting a utility substation, data center power grid, or a residential home. Surge arresters are installed on the used generator’s circuit breakers, inside pad-mounted transformers, or on pole-mounted riser poles at substations.
Standards for surge arresters are defined by IEEE standard C62.11 and IEC standard 60099. Power surges can be extremely damaging to electronic equipment (commonly found in used industrial generators), which means it’s important to take precautionary actions to avoid them.
Integration of SPDs on Used Industrial Generators
Every piece of electronic equipment in an industrial environment is subject to random power surges that can adversely affect your industrial generator. Thus, to protect said electronic equipment from surges, companies are installing surge protection devices such as surge arresters. These surge protection devices (SPDs) are installed either at the main circuit breaker or at the branch circuit breaker depending on the equipment’s rating.
Methods for Integration
The generator industry has two methodologies concerning the integration of SPDs:
- Connecting the SPD external to a power distribution panel.
- Integrating the SPD devices within motor control centers, switchboards, switchgear, panelboards, or VSDs.
This second method helps to ensure the lowest clamping voltage, resulting in the highest level of protection for the industrial generator.
Causes of Voltage Surges
Utility power lines across the nation experience varying voltage surges while in operation. These voltage surges mainly come from lightning strikes, which are quite common. Every second of every day, there are 100 lightning bolts striking somewhere on Earth. That equates to 8 million per day and 3 billion each year.
Each strike has the potential to hit an electric grid, causing a voltage surge. A surge arrester is the device that helps protect the power supply from these strikes.
From an operational perspective, other sources of voltage surges may occur when switching surges. Overvoltage may occur when switches surge and are due to the operating conditions of the industrial generator system changing. Switching surges essentially trap the energy and subsequently release the energy.
Why Are Surge Arresters in Operation?
Every surge arrester must be able to withstand continuous power frequency voltage. The surge arrester should discharge transient energy from the power system in the form of a current while simultaneously preventing the voltage on the used industrial generator from becoming excessive. This helps keep your used generator operating long-term.
Story Summary
Where Are Surge Arresters Installed?
- On generator circuit breakers
- Inside pad-mounted transformers
- On pole-mounted riser poles at substations
- At main or branch circuit breakers
What Causes Voltage Surges?
- Lightning strikes
- Switching operations in the power system
- Changes in generator operating conditions
How Do Surge Arresters Work?
- Withstand continuous power frequency voltage
- Discharge transient energy from the power system as current
- Prevent excessive voltage on the generator
What Are the Methods for Integrating Surge Protection Devices?
- Connecting the device externally to a power distribution panel
- Integrating devices within motor control centers, switchgear, panelboards, etc.
What Standards Apply to Surge Arresters?
- IEEE standard C62.11
- IEC standard 60099-4
Please contact the team at Generator Source for any questions regarding surge arrester integration on your used industrial generator. We’re the nation’s largest and longest-running surplus and used industrial generator reseller. Our technicians have worked on every used industrial generator brand for the past 40 years! Please contact Generator Source today.