The 3 D's of Surge Protection
Degradation Destruction Downtime
65-80% of surges are caused internally from
Pumps (well or pool) A/C condenser motors Refrigeration motors Dishwasher motors Washer/dryer motorsSurge Protection
What is the homeowner's No. 1 complaint regarding his HVAC system? It's downtime. What is the No. 1
cause of downtime? Other than poor maintenance or old age of the equipment, the leading cause is
power quality.
As the brownouts and blackouts in California suggest - and the major blackout in the northeast portion of the United States last year attests - the electrical grid is not highly reliable at this time. Utility reports note that power quality is at its lowest in history and it's getting worse. The utilities thus recommend protection against power quality problems.
As the brownouts and blackouts in California suggest - and the major blackout in the northeast portion of the United States last year attests - the electrical grid is not highly reliable at this time. Utility reports note that power quality is at its lowest in history and it's getting worse. The utilities thus recommend protection against power quality problems.
Each home experiences 300-plus potentially damaging electrical surges per year.
Home appliances and HVAC equipment, which depend on electronics, are sensitive to these surges.
These units are a costly investment for the homeowner, and there typically is no protection.
A surge is a high-amplitude, short-duration electrical fluctuation that can cause harm to electrical, electromechanical, and electronic equipment. Surges are caused by lightning, utility events, and internal events:
Lightning is the most obvious
and most sensational type of surge. Lightning can travel up to 1/2 mile from where it strikes. Nothing
can prevent a direct strike.
Utility events consist of
crossover of phases, capacitor switching, grid shifting, inductive loads, and open neutrals.
Internal events in the home,
however, are the most likely source of a surge. (See Table to the Left)
A surge is a high-amplitude, short-duration electrical fluctuation that can cause harm to electrical, electromechanical, and electronic equipment. Surges are caused by lightning, utility events, and internal events:
Lightning is the most obvious
and most sensational type of surge. Lightning can travel up to 1/2 mile from where it strikes. Nothing
can prevent a direct strike.Utility events consist of
crossover of phases, capacitor switching, grid shifting, inductive loads, and open neutrals.Internal events in the home,
however, are the most likely source of a surge. (See Table to the Left)
The homeowner benefits from surge protection because it provides inexpensive insurance for a central
air conditioning system. After the home and car, air conditioning systems are the most costly item to
repair or replace. Homeowners carry insurance on their home and car. What about for their central air
system?
By getting this protection from an HVAC contractor, they get professional installation and reliable operation. In addition, some surge solutions handle up to 100,000 amps of surge current, offer a lifetime warranty, and include a $1,000 connected equipment warranty.
Many home owners already use surge protection everyday, for example with personal computers. With the proven instability of the national electrical grid, the addition of surge protection for an HVAC system is a logical, low-cost solution that helps keep air conditioning systems up and running and prevents unwanted damage.
By getting this protection from an HVAC contractor, they get professional installation and reliable operation. In addition, some surge solutions handle up to 100,000 amps of surge current, offer a lifetime warranty, and include a $1,000 connected equipment warranty.
Many home owners already use surge protection everyday, for example with personal computers. With the proven instability of the national electrical grid, the addition of surge protection for an HVAC system is a logical, low-cost solution that helps keep air conditioning systems up and running and prevents unwanted damage.
