Raycap News

Surge Protection Systems For Lightning Strikes

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/lightning-surge-protection-for-residential-and-commercial-applications/

When laypeople think about surge protection, they generally have in mind the surge strips that are sold at electronics stores.  These devices are simplistic versions of surge protection equipment which is utilized on an industrial level.  The functionality of these types of devices is lower quality when compared to the designs and technology that are involved in industrial surge protection devices.  Residential SPDs work more like the breaker box and circuit breakers, which simply switch off all power flow if it exceeds a specific amount.  A surge strip acts as a buffer in between the circuit box and the component inside of the residence or business, providing a redundant system which will cut off all power flow to the components which are plugged in to it.  These types of devices are generally satisfactory for home use, because the value of the equipment which is being used and potentially being damaged by the power surge is minimal.  As times change, we find that the modern smart home is using far more advanced and expensive equipment, potentially creating the need for a consideration of the more evolved surge protection system to be employed by these residential users.  For this reason, we are finding that surge protection systems that were once utilized almost exclusively by industrial facilities are now making their way into the residential market.  Industrial facilities have relied upon advanced surge protection devices and systems for many years, protecting hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment which is utilized by businesses which are creating critical products and services for the public.  The reliance upon surge protection systems is crucial to not only maintain profitability by avoiding equipment damage, but also to keep many systems that the public relies upon online..  The easiest example to draw on is the cellular communications market which provides telecommunication services to the public.  This data transfer and communications ability needs to remain online as much as possible, especially during emergency events.  Therefore maintaining systems that are nearly bulletproof and can remain online in times of crisis when people will rely on their cell phones to contact emergency services as well as each other.  If these types of services are rendered inoperable by inclement weather or a lightning strike, the results can be deadly.  For this reason, the maintenance of the surge protection systems is not purely motivated by profit.

Surge protection systems involving technologically advanced devices which are installed at critical junctures keep equipment online and functioning through the most damaging of lightning strikes.  The lightning protection equipment will attempt to divert the strike away from system components, and therefore be able to route the power surge to earth without having an impact on these components.  If the lightning strike happens to the connected cables or to the structure within which the components are housed, the surge protection devices are then relied upon to stop the overflow of electricity which is outside of the safe range from reaching the sensitive components.  As surge protection devices grow technologically more advanced, we find that critical industries are able to provide better service while also maintaining profitability.