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When there is a power surge, electrical systems without protective defenses are often vulnerable to damage. That's why devices like surge protectors and surge arresters are crucial. Although one serves as a substitute for the other, they serve different purposes.
This blog will explain the differences between these two surge protection devices. This will help you know which one to get for your home or business.
A surge protector (also called a surge protection device or SPD) is a device that safeguards the internal components of electrical systems during voltage spikes. It absorbs excess current away from the electronic device, making the electrical system safe and stable.
A surge arrester is a high-voltage protection device that protects electrical equipment from high-voltage surges. These surges may come from direct lightning strikes or switching operations. The arrester diverts high voltage away from the equipment and takes it directly to the ground.
Surge Protector: Surge protectors handle the voltage of ordinary electronics, protecting them from minor voltage spikes. Surge protectors are usually measured by how many joules of energy they can handle before failing. Thus, they can handle small to moderate voltages before they reach the equipment.
For example, if you install a surge protector in your home, it will clamp the voltage of approximately 330 to 400 volts. If the current is above this, the protection device will divert the excess current to the ground and prevent your equipment from damage.
A 1000-joule surge protector, for instance, may cover devices in home electronics, like laptops, mobile phones, chargers, etc. For highly sensitive electronics like TVs, a higher-rated protector may be used for enhanced protection, something above 3000 joules.
Surge Arrester: A Surge arrester, alternatively, manages high-energy surges, routing them directly to the ground. It includes the entire electrical system and not only the internal circuits. It has the strength and resistance to handle extreme surges, keeping your system safe from damage.
For instance, while a surge protector covers home appliances, surge arresters may cover the entire transformer or substation.
Surge Protector: Surge protectors are made with clamping low to medium voltages ranging from hundreds to a few thousands of volts. It typically has a voltage rating of 120V to 240V AC in homes and offices.
This means that if there is an incoming current above the normal threshold, it will trip the surge protector, and make it jump into action to protect electrical appliances.
Surge Arrester: Surge arresters are made for medium to high-voltage systems. They can direct surges that reach tens of thousands of volts. A surge arrester can handle surges as high as 5000 volts, or 5kv. Some modern arresters can even handle voltage rating of 20,000 volts, or 20kV.
Surge Protector: Surge protectors are located downstream and are used indoors, close to the units they are protecting. They are ideal for controlled environment, or areas that are not fully exposed to weather.
Surge Arrester: Surge arresters are installed upstream to serve as first line of defense against electrical devices. You'll find them outdoors, in areas prone to frequent lightning strikes, or areas where the surge is unpredictable. They are operate in harsh environments, that is, those exposed to UV rays, rain, humidity, etc.
Surge Protector: Surge protectors have a faster response time. They can typically detect a low or moderate surge and swing into action in nanoseconds. Thus, they are suitable for sensitive electronics.
Surge Arresters: To extreme surges, surge arresters may be able to react within the microseconds or nanoseconds. Their response time is slightly slower because they handle massive energy load.
Surge Protector: Surge protection devices are measured in joules. A home surge protector, which is typically within 1000 to 3000 joules, is suitable to protect appliances from small surges or grid fluctuations.
Surge Arrester: Surge arresters in rated in terms of maximum discharge current. Instead of absorbing excess current, they discharge, or divert it to the ground. They can discharge tens of kiloamperes (kA) of surge current. A 10 kA-rated or 20 kA-rated arrester is best suited to protect an area prone to lightning strikes.
Surge Protector: While most are made of zinc oxide (ZnO), others are made of gas discharge tubes (GDTs) and transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes. These materials complement each other in surge protection of equipment.
Surge Arrester: The main material of a surge arrester is zinc oxide (ZnO). This material has a nonlinear characteristic that can act as an insulator under normal operations and conduct high current during a surge.
Here are the technical differences in surge protector vs surge arrester
Technical Features | Surge Protector | Surge Arrester |
Monitoring Capabilities | Built-in status indication, e.g., light or alarm | Remote diagnostics |
Internal fusing | Include internal fusing for safety | Does not include internalf using |
Design | MOV design is hybrid, thus compact-sized | MOV design is gapped, thus robust and bigger |
Interrupt Power | Does not interrupt power but absorbs it till its normal | Allows continuous operation after discharging |
EMI/RFI filtering | Some models offer filtering of electromagnetic and radio frequency interference. | Does not offer this feature |
Warranty | Better warranty up to 5 years | Limited warranty |
Surge Protector: Surge protectors have short lifespan, for about 3 to 5 years. They may need replacement after major surges.
Surge Arresters: These have a relatively long life, some lasting 25 years and with little maintenance. However, if they experience frequent extreme surges, their lifespan could reduce.
Surge Protector: Surge protectors have a smaller through-flow capacity. This is because they are not directly connected to the device they are protecting. Thus, they handle the residual surges after the lightning current has been limited to a lower value.
Surge Arrester: Surge arresters, like lightning arresters, have larger relative flow capacity. This is because their main role is preventing lightning overvoltage. They face direct lightning exposure which requires high flow capacity to prevent damage.
Surge Protector: Surge protectors are used in homes and offices. They safeguard electrical gadgets such as computers, televisions and game machines. Their risk tolerance make them capable of handling minor surges in appliances like air conditioners, streaming devices, and sound systems.
A higher-rated surge protector (up to 3000 joules) should be used with medium-voltage systems to absorb surges in network equipment, printers and routers. It can also protect solar pv systems and server systems running several devices at a time. With proper usage and maintenance, they can render protection from power surges.
Surge Arrester: These are applied in industrial areas where surge occurs in lightning and power faults. They are suitable for heavy-duty equipment and large machinery. They are installed substations and transformers to divert excess current to the ground in the event of voltage spikes.
Choose a surge protector for:
Offices and Hospitals: A surge protector is suitable for low to medium-voltage power distribution and electrical appliances. It is also suitable for cabinets, communications, signals, machine stations, and machine rooms. You can also use it strengthen computer network protection, medical equipment protection, and for building automation systems.
Residential Panels: A surge protector is ideal for whole-house area that experiences frequent small surges. You can also use it protect sensitive appliances like TVs and air conditioners. Furthermore, you can use it to protect your smart home devices like game consoles if you're on a budget.
Data Centers: A surge protector is ideal for data centers and other critical facilities to protect server equipment. Use it to coordinate UPS system for stable power supply. Opt for surge protector to protect network infrastructure and precision cooling equipment.
Choose a surge arrester for:
Power Generation Facilities: A surge arrester is ideal to protect generator from switching surges. In switchyards, it can also protect transformers and transmission lines. It is also suitable for critical infrastructure hardening.
Substations and Switchyards: A surge arrester can handle high-voltage spikes in power stations, lines, and distribution stations. It can also handle power surges in capacitors, transformers, iron and steel smelting, and railways. You can use it for grid stability and utility-grade lightning protection in areas frequently exposed to strikes.
Manufacturing Plants: A surge arrester can be used to protect large motors and process control system hardening. You can also use it to protect production line equipment and facility-wide electrical systems.
Surge protectors are more affordable. If you're finding a surge protection device that is budget-friendly, this may be your go-to. While surge arresters are expensive, they are cost-effective in the long run. They provide long-term value for high-end facilities and require low maintenance time. Furthermore, they can last for long periods of time.
Before you choose a device, conduct an equipment criticality analysis. Sensitive electronic devices need surge protectors to respond quickly to power surges. Heavy-duty machinery or industrial equipment need surge arresters to provide all-round protection and enable a stable, continuous operation.
For indoor setups, such as homes, offices, hospitals, and other similar applications, a surge protector would be ideal. Its compact-size and EMI/RFI filtering feature make it suitable for such use.
For outdoor setups such as substations, transmission lines, and other industrial areas, you should choose a surge arrester. It can withstand harsh environmental conditions for long time without degradation.
Areas with stable environments, where minor surges and grid switching occasionally occur, need surge protectors. This is why they are best used in homes and offices on electrical appliances. For areas prone to heavy lightning strikes and unstable grids, a surge arrester would offer maximum protection.
For low to medium-voltage systems, that is those below 1kV, evaluate surge protector devices. A higher voltage may make the device fail to activate. For medium to high-voltage systems, those above 1kV, you can use surge arresters.
If you need status indication requirements (a LED light indicator or alarm) to signal if there's a surge, then you should get a surge protector. If you accept passive protection, you can use a surge arrester.
For secondary protection, choose a surge protector. For primary (whole) protection of equipment, choose surge arresters to act as the first line of defense.
You cannot use a surge protector as a surge arrester. Although they deal with power surges, they differ in application. A surge protector handles low-voltage spikes and is used indoors. A surge arrester handles high-voltage spikes and is used outdoors in harsh environments.
There are three types of surge protection devices, i.e., type 1, type 2, and type 3. Type 1 handles direct lightning strikes and is located at the service entrance. Type 2 protects against secondary surges and is located at distribution panels and boards. Type 3 gives the final layer of protection (low-voltage protection) and is installed close to electronic equipment.
Yes, a surge protective device needs a miniature circuit breaker for additional layer of safety in case the SPD fails.
Though both are used to safeguard electrical systems, they are not the same. SPD protects voltage surges while circuit breakers protect overloads and short circuits.
SPDs are used to protect equipment from direct lightning surges or switching surges. Lightning arresters, which are sometimes called lightning rods, are primarily used to protect against direct lightning strikes on electrical systems.
Both surge protectors and surge arresters guard your equipment from damage. Your choice depends on budget, application, location, and voltage level.
Haivol offers surge protection solutions that are trusted worldwide. Contact us today to speak with an expert to get you started.
