Tag Archives: surge protection

The Narrowest Surge Protection for MCR Technology

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TERMITRAB Complete is the world’s narrowest surge protection for MCR application. This product range provides you with a complete system kit featuring an integrated status indicator and an optional remote signaling set. TERMITRAB Complete, the narrowest protective device at only at 3.5mm width.

  • Starting from 3.5 mm widths, TERMITRAB complete is the world’s narrowest surge protection solution for MCR applications
  • Status indication with remote signaling
  • System modules for all MCR applications

Pluggable surge protection for 4-conductor applications

The narrowest arrester is 6 mm wide.

TTC-6P-4 is the world’s narrowest pluggable surge protection solution for 4-conductor applications. With an overall width of 6 mm, it reliably protects your measurement and control applications from overvoltage, while requiring minimal space.

TERMITRAB Complete, your best choice of Surge Protection for all MCR Applications. With a complete portfolio ranging from Single Stage Protection to multistage Surge Protection  with integrated status indication and knife disconnect, TERMITRAB Complete SPD will give you the most holistic and comprehensive protection for your cabinet solutions.

Interested to try out all the benefits mentioned above? Get in touch with us at marketing@phoenixcontact.com.sg!

Termitrab Complete – The Narrowest Surge Protection

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The latest surge protection, Termitrab Complete (TTC) for MCR offers a peace of mind for users. With the TTC, you can reliably protect your signals against surge voltages from the field to the controller.

The TTC product range is a tailored product range for almost all applications in measurement and control technology. Depending on the type of signal to be protected, with TTC, you will find an ideally suited circuit version in the portfolio.

The areas of application for TTC are so diverse that they can be used in any industry. Thanks to the narrow overall width, starting at 3.5mm, the product range is ideal for process technology, as very often, a high density is required in the distribution cabinets. They protect up to 572 signals in one meter, which mean more products can be installed in the cabinets. The number of cabinets can be reduced so as to save cost. The various approvals permit use in onshore and offshore applications. The TTC portfolio offers the widest range of features and therefore an optimum selection of products for your applications.

The narrowest surge protection

Starting from an overall width of 3.5mm, Termitrab Complete is the world’s first surge protection solution for measurement and control technology.

Remote Signaling

You can decide if and when you require the remote signalling modules that are available. Up to 40 protective devices are visually monitored with the optional remote signalling modules.

To monitor retrospectively, you can easily align remote signalling modules to protective devices that are already installed.

If a protective element is disconnected in the event of surge voltages, the disconnected device closes the monitoring channel and group remote signalling is triggered. The overloaded device is displayed on site by the status indicator (in the picture highlighted in red). This is purely mechanical, without consuming energy from the signal lines.

Pluggability

For repeated tests, remove the surge element connector from the base of the multi-piece protective device without impedance. The signals are not interrupted and the controllers do not immediately detect an impedance change in the measuring circuit.

Testing and documentation takes place in the CHECKMASTER 2. If a replacement is required, the affected surge element connector can be replaced without accessing the installation.

Innovative knife disconnection

The integrated two knife disconnection enables the signal path to be broken so as to carry out isolation measurements. An open signal path is easy to detect from the projecting function screws. The screws are equipped with overwind protection.

Versatile

Certain applications require special tests and approvals. TTC meets the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Furthermore, versions with ATEX, IEC Ex and GL approvals are available as well.

If you would like more information about Termitrab Complete, feel free to contact us at marketing@phoenixcontact.com.sg!

Planning for Lightning and Surge Protection?

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Choosing the right Lightning and Surge Protection is a lifelong investment, just like purchasing a good comprehensive life insurance policy. Without proper planning and consideration, your business, your home maybe inadequately protected and most importantly your people/investments will be at risk.

In this article we shall dive in on the risk assessment, lightning and surge protection zoning and protective devices type.

A point to note: As you may know, Surge Arresters are vital when you are planning for a lightning and surge protection system. For information on when Lightning and Surge Protection is necessary, visit our previous article here.

Three points to consider when planning for Lightning and Surge Protection: 

  1. Risk analysis with accordance with IEC 62305

The answer to the common question: “Do I need to install lightning and surge protection devices?” boils down to the result of a careful and systematic risk assessment, which is carried out after inspection of the physical structure and electrical installation.

It would start with addressing the risk of various sources of damages (e.g. a direct lightning strike in the building, transient overvoltages that are coupled into the electrical installation caused by atmospheric influences) which come into focus, as do the types of damage resulting from these incidents:

  • Impact on health or loss of life
  • Loss of technical services for the public
  • Loss of irreplaceable objects of cultural significance
  • Financial losses

The financial benefits are determined as follows:

  • How does the total annual cost for a lightning protection system compare to the costs of potential damage without a protection system?
  • The cost evaluation is based on the expenditures for the planning, assembly, and maintenance of the lightning protection system.

If the risk assessment determines that lightning and surge protection is required, then the type and scope of the specific measures for protection to be considered will include:

  • External lightning and surge protection
  • Internal lightning and surge protection
  • Grounding and equipotential bonding
  • Coordinated Lightning and Surge Protection Devices system
  1. Characterizing the lightning protection zones (LPZ)

In order to ensure the total protection of a physical structure from the effects of lightning strikes and surge voltages, various protective measures or equipment that are tailored to one another are required.

The installation locations of surge protective devices within a physical structure are determined using the lightning protection zone from part 4 of lightning protection standard IEC 62305.

It divides a physical structure into lightning protection zones (LPZ), and does so from outside to inside with decreasing lightning protection levels. In external zones only resistant equipment can be used. However, in internal zones, sensitive equipment can also be used. The individual zones are characterized and named as follows:

  • LPZ 0A: Unprotected zone outside of a building where direct lightning strikes are possible. The direct coupling of lightning currents in cables and the undamped magnetic field of the lightning strike can lead to danger and damage.
  • LPZ 0B: Zone outside the building that is protected from direct lightning strikes, for example, by an air terminal. The undamped magnetic field of the lightning strike and induced surge currents can cause hazards and damage.
  • LPZ 1: Zone inside the building where high energy surge voltages or surge currents and strong electromagnetic fields are still to be expected.
  • LPZ 2: Zone inside a building where surge voltages or surge currents and electromagnetic fields that have already been significantly weakened are to be expected.
  • LPZ 3: Zone inside the building where surge voltages or surge currents are expected to be only extremely low or entirely absent and electromagnetic fields are expected to be only very weak or non-existent.

Lightning protection zone concept with coordinated SPDs at the respective zone transition points

  1. Lightning and Surge Protection Device types

The lightning protection zone concept provides coordinated surge protective devices for all cables that cross between zones. Their power values are based on the protection class to be achieved. As such, different SPDs are required based on the zone transition points.

 

The requirements for the individual SPD types are defined in the standard IEC 61643- 11 [6] for surge protective devices used in low-voltage systems. A multi-level protection concept is derived from this:

Risk assessment, in general, is a complicated and demanding process. An advisable starting point is to list out the areas that are most at risk and filter to the ones that are not.

Once you’ve listed out the potential risk areas, you can then consider the types of SPD best suited to the kind of application/equipment you’re protecting.

Food for Thought: Lightning strikes 90% of the earth. Some parts are highly prone to lightning strikes while some aren’t.

Since Southeast Asia sits comfortably near the equator, the hot and humid weather makes conditions favourable for the development of lightning producing thunderstorms. Thus, it is important to make sure you are well-protected.

Lightning strike densities across the world

Lightning strike densities across the world

Other tips for Risk Assessment

Be sure to refer to risk assessment standards IEC 62305-2. Some countries make it compulsory to use the standard when considering surge protection for large scale or highly sensitive buildings such as industrial facilities, hospitals, and data centres.

More information on Phoenix Contact’s Lightning and Surge Protection Devices can be found here.

 

References

  1. International Electrotechnical Commission. IEC 62305-1 – Lightning protection – Part 1: General principles. s.l. : VDE Verlag GmbH, 2010.
  2. International Electrotechnical Commission. IEC 62305-2 – Lightning protection – Part 2: Risk management. s.l. : VDE Verlag GmbH, 2010.
  3. International Electrotechnical Commission. IEC 62305-3 – Lightning protection – Part 3: Physical damage to structures and life hazard. s.l. : VDE Verlag GmbH, 2010.
  4. International Electrotechnical Commission. IEC 62305-4 – Lightning protection – Part 4: Protection against lightning. Electrical and electronic systems within structures. s.l.: VDE Verlag GmbH, 2010.
  5. International Electrotechnical Commission. IEC 61643-11 – Surge protective devices connected to low-voltage power systems – Requirements and test methods. s.l. : VDE Verlag GmbH, 2011.
  6. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/11/131102-lightning-deaths-developing-countries-storms/

Lightning Protection Systems

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Lightning is the process of discharging the electrical charge in a cloud. Lightning energy released can produce a series of light, heat, and a very strong sound, it can damage buildings, kill humans, blow up trees and impair electrical equipment. The average speed of lightning is 150,000 km/sec and it usually arrives with a jarring sound.

The process of the lightning occurring is due to differences in electrical charges between the clouds with the earth or between other clouds. As the electrical charge in the cloud moves continuously and on a regular basis, during its movement it will interact with other clouds so that the negative charge will congregate on one side (top or bottom), while the positive charge is assembled on the opposite side.

In the event of such a large potential difference between the cloud and the earth, as well as clouds with clouds, there will be a discharging of electricity from cloud to earth or vice versa to achieve the balance of electrical charge (discharge).

In accordance with IEC 61024-1 standards concerning protection against lightning strikes and IEC 1312 on protection against electromagnetic impulses, the general concept of a lightning protection system according to IEC 1024 – 1 and IEC 1312 standards is as follows.

A functional protection system consists of 2 parts:

  1. External Protection System
  2. Internal Protection System

Integration Ring Grounding with Bare Copper (BC) 50 mm2

External Protection System

External protection systems are tools installed on the outside of the building which serve to protect buildings and people against direct lightning strikes.

3 parts of an External Protection System:

  1. Finial (air terminal/copper tapered rod) mounted at the top of the building which serves to catch the lightning strike directly.
  2. Down Conductor (minimal conductor cable BC 50 mm2) mounted on the outer wall of the building which serves to distribute the flow of electrical charges from the finial to grounding.
  3. Grounding of copper installed in the ground serves to discharge an electrical charge from the conductor cable to the copper rod embedded in the ground. All grounding should be connected directly, or Spark Gap can be used. The smaller the grounding value is, the more quickly the discharge of electric charge from lightning to the ground will be absorbed into the ground (maximum grounding value = 1 Ohm)

Bounding Grounding

Internal Protection System

Internal protection system is a device installed on the inside of a building which serves to protect electrical equipment (electronics) against lightning induction (a momentary but large spike in voltage)

Internal protection system consists of 2 parts, namely:

  1. Equipotential Bonding (EB) is the connecting of all metal/grounding cables to the internal copper plate (PEB = Potential Equalizing Bar), which is to be connected to the main grounding outside the building. This is useful for removing the potential difference in the equipment when they are exposed to lightning induction.
  2. Installation of Arrester in Main Distribution Panel (MDP) with Arrester type Over Current, Sub Distribution Panel (SDP) with Arrester type Over Voltage and in equipment with Arrester type Fine Protector

Lightning protection zone concept

The lightning protection zone concept described in international standard IEC 62305-4 has proved to be practical and efficient. This concept is based on the principle of gradually reducing surges to a safe level before they reach the terminal device and cause damage. In order to achieve this situation, a building’s entire energy network is split into lightning protection zones (LPZ = Lightning Protection Zone). Installed at each transition from one zone to another is a surge arrestor for equipotential bonding. These arrestors correspond to the requirement class in question.

Lightning protection zones concept according to IEC 62305-4 (EN 62305-4)

Lightning protection zones concept according to IEC 62305-4 (EN 62305-4)

  • LPZ 0A: direct lightning strikes & high electromagnetic fields occur
  • LPZ 0B: no direct strike but high electromagnetic field
  • LPZ 1: without direct strike, the electromagnetic field is weak
  • LPZ 2: areas with weak electromagnetic fields
  • LPZ 3: protection area inside equipment

Any electrical, telecommunication, data, and other equipment undergoing a zoning change should be equipped with an arrester. 

Lightning protection zones and comprehensive protection measures

Surge protection devices are classified into lightning current arresters, surge arresters and combined arresters according to the requirements of their installation. Lightning current and combined arresters which are in LPZ 0A to 1/LPZ 0A to 2 fulfill the most stringent requirements in terms of discharge capacity. These arresters must be capable of discharging partial lightning currents of 10/350 μs wave form several times without destruction, thus preventing injection of destructive partial lightning currents into the electrical installation of a building.

Surge arresters are installed at the transition from LPZ 0 to 1 and downstream of LPZ 1 to 2 and higher. Their function is to mitigate the residual currents of the upstream protection stages and those generated in the installation.

Choosing the right surge protection devices

The classification of surge protection devices into types can be matched to different requirements with regard to location, protection level and current-carrying capacity. The table provides an overview of the zone transitions

Zone transition Surge protection device and
device type		 Product example
LPZ 0 B to LPZ 1 Protection device for lightning protection equipotential bonding in accordance with VDE 0185-305 (IEC 62305) for direct or close lightning strikes.
Devices: Type 1 (Class I), e.g. FLT-SEC
Max. protection level according to standard: 4 kV
Installation e.g. in the main panel/at building entry

FLT-SEC Item no.: 2905421

FLT-SEC Item no.: 2905421
LPZ 1 to LPZ 2 Protection device for lightning protection equipotential bonding in accordance with VDE 0185-305 (IEC 62305) for direct or close lightning strikes.
Devices: Type 2 (Class II), e.g. VAL-MS 230
Max. protection level according to standard: 1.5 kV
Installation e.g. in the distributor panel/at building entry

VAL-MS 230 Item no.: 2838209

VAL-MS 230 Item no.: 2838209
LPZ 2 to LPZ 3 Protection device, designed for surge protection of portable consumers at sockets and power supplies.
Devices: Type 3 (Class III), e.g. MNT-1D
Max. protection level according to standard: 1.5 kV
Installation e.g. on the end consumer

MNT-1D Item no.: 2882200

MNT-1D Item no.: 2882200

Arrester type over current (level 1) is an arrester that serves to cut a very large lightning current (maximum 100 kA) and quickly (100 ns) directs its flow to grounding, but there is still a return voltage generated.

Installations of level 1 arresters are typically on the outer side of the power grid (before the meter PLN/parent panel or Genset)

Arrester type over current (level 2) is arrester that serves to cut over voltage (20 kA) from lightning induction and reverse voltage and even more quickly (20 ns) drain it by grounding, Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) has the ability to cut the lightning voltage inversely with its sensitivity level.

Arrester type Fine Protector (level 3) is an arrester that serves to cut the remaining voltage from the 2nd level arrester (3 kA) and directs its flow to ground within 25 ns.

If you would like more information on the products we have to offer, feel free to contact us and we will be in touch!

Future Proofing Industry Seminar in Yangon, Myanmar

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Our slogan: “Inspiring Innovations”. It embodies what we do – Phoenix Contact never fails to come up with new and innovative products for the industry. As such, we are honored to be one of the market leaders and trendsetters of our industry.

Together with our partner in Myanmar, Synopsis Technology, we were proud to have brought you the “Future Proofing Industry” Seminar, held on the 31st of May 2018 at Lotte Hotel Yangon.

Seminar Poster

Alongside the topic of driving innovations, the main highlight of this “Future Proofing Industry” seminar was to introduce new applications and products for the education sector in Myanmar. It is of paramount importance to help the future engineers be ready for the industry.

Within the short time span of a day, we were elated that we had the opportunity to share our company history and actual success stories across South East Asia. Aside from that, we managed to introduce our innovative products as well.

First speaker: Mr Jiang

Our first speaker, Mr Jiang, who is also our Solution Manager, spoke about our new Industrial Cloud and Networking products for the first half of the seminar. Ideas and experiences were shared with the attendees.

Second speaker: Mr Maw Kon

The second speaker of the day was Mr Maw Kon, who is from Phoenix Contact Myanmar. He introduces our bread and butter products – the various connectors ranging from Terminal blocks to heavy duty connectors.

Third and final speaker: Mr Gary

Our last speaker, Mr Gary, never fails to draw the attentions of the attendees when it comes to introducing our surge protection devices. Live demonstrations and interactive activities were carried out and our attendees were all having a blast.

Last but not least, there was a mini competition held during the seminar.  All the attendees were encouraged to participate in the #futureproofingseminar and @phoenixcontactsea photoshoots. All they needed to do was to just take a photo during the seminar and upload them on their Facebook with the hashtag #futureproofingseminar together with a tag @phoenixcontactsea! The winner of the seminar was announced via our official Facebook page!

Predictive Monitoring of Protective Devices for Continuous Protection and Availability of Signals

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Lightning strikes over city skyline

Lightning strikes over city skyline

Plant safety in the chemical and petrochemical industries must satisfy high demands – reliability and availability are crucial factors for continuous production processes. Signal interfaces are at far greater risk of surge voltages than power supply systems. This is a result of the numerous cables laid in parallel and the more sensitive input and output interfaces. Based on the risk potential and safety level required for the interface, a variety of surge protective devices are used. These are installed directly before the signal inputs to be protected. The circuits of these protective devices are adapted to the relevant signal types.

Have you thought of what would have happened in the event when any existing non-pluggable surge protective devices (SPDs) are overloaded without any sign of status indication? Continue reading →

Photovoltaic Monitoring System With Visualisation – A Project with ITE College East

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Photovoltaic (PV) Monitoring System With Visualisation

The Photovoltaic (PV) monitoring system was designed to monitor the performance of the PV panels’ output versus the temperature on the PV panel. There were two different types of PV panels used for monitoring, namely the mono-crystalline and amorphous silicone (Thin Film). The data that was collected were the DC output and the temperature on the PV panels.

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The Importance of Good Demos

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Would you buy something that you cannot see, touch or feel?

For instance, if you wanted to buy a new mobile phone today, and you walked into the mobile shop and after describing your needs the salesman told you, “Oh we have just got the solution for you! This phone solves all your problems and have the latest features and technology. However we do not have the sample for  you to see, so you will have to make payment first before we give you the actual phone.”

Would you still buy the phone?

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The Push-in Terminal Block Evolution

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From the most reliable UK – Universal Screw terminal blocks to advance spring technology terminal blocks, Phoenix Contact has successfully developed and produced terminal blocks over the past90 years.

As terminal block innovation is the heart and soul of our company, Phoenix Contact never fails our customers with new terminal block innovations over the decades.

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Success Story: GMM Thailand

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6 years ago, the GMM building was struck by lightning – resulting in loss of functionality of their core businesses in media streaming of movies and music. Consumers were unable to download of all these as a result of these lightning surges. All of these caused a massive financial loss for the company.

Thankfully, Phoenix Contact Thailand was on hand to help GMM solve this problem and ensure that there will not be a repeat of this again.

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