Surge Protection in the home or business Surge Protective Devices (SPD)
Surge Protective Devices (SPD) are used to protect the electrical installations, from power surges or transient over voltages. The unit will offer additional protection to the consumer unit wiring and accessories Surge protection devices are also use to protect sensitive electronic equipment connected in your installation.
These appliances such as computers washing machines televisions etc. Safety equipment such as emergency lighting and fire detection systems can also be damaged by these transient over voltages Sometimes the damage to the equipment can result in instant failure , or it can cause the appliance/device to have a much shorter life before it eventually fails There are three types of SPD surge protection device : Type 1 SPD installed at origin (At main distribution board) Type 2 SPD Installed at sub distribution boards. ( remote distribution boards) Combined Type 1 and 2 SPD which are very common in domestic settings and are fitted in the consumer unit. Type 3- Installed close to the protected load equipment and can only be used to supplement type 2 We will fit the correct type for your installation What are transient over voltages ? These are short duration power surges caused by a sudden release of stored energy be it man made or natural Natural occurance can come from lightening strike on power lines for example Man made examples could come from transformers, motors , and more commonly nowadays within domestic settings with the increased use of new ligthing technologies and EV Charging and air/source heat pumps Do I have to have a SPD fitted Current regulations say that a a SPD should now be fitted unless a risk assessment has been carried out The current regulations state that SPD’s are to be fitted to all types of installation including domestic unless a risk assessment is carried out, protection against transient overvoltage shall be provided where the consequence caused by overvoltage could: Result in serious injury to, or loss of, human life; or Result in interruption of public services and/or damage to cultural heritage; or Result in interruption of commercial or industrial activity; or Affect a large number of co-located individuals. Although regulations are retrospective new works should comply with latest regulations .
Ultimately the choice to have a SPD fitted is down to the customer who should be well informed with all the correct information Its also a good idea to check if your insurance policy covers items that or not protected by a surge protection device .
