Examples of surge protective device SPD applications in 230-400 V systems, Terms and Definitions

Examples of surge protective device SPD applications in 230-400 V systems, Terms and Definitions

EMC lightning protection – zone concept in accordance with IEC 62305-4:2010

Lightning Protection Zone (LPZ)

Outer zones:
LPZ 0: Zone where the threat is due to the unattenuated lightning electromagnetic field and where the internal systems may be subjected to full or partial lightning surge current.

LPZ 0 is subdivided into:
LPZ 0A: Zone where the threat is due to the direct lightning flash and the full lightning electromagnetic field. The internal systems may be subjected to full lightning surge current.
LPZ 0B: Zone protected against direct lightning flashes but where the threat is the full lightning electromagnetic field. The internal systems may be subjected to partial lightning surge currents.

Inner zones (protected against direct lightning flashes):
LPZ 1: Zone where the surge current is limited by current sharing and isolating interfaces and/or by SPDs at the boundary. Spatial shielding may attenuate the lightning electromagnetic field.
LPZ 2 … n: Zone where the surge current may be further limited by current sharing
and isolating interfaces and/or by additional SPDs at the boundary. Additional spatial shielding may be used to further attenuate the lightning electromagnetic field.

Terms and Definitions

Surge protective devices (SPDs)

Surge protective devices mainly consist of voltage-dependent resistors (varistors, suppressor diodes) and/or spark gaps (discharge paths). Surge protective devices are used to protect other electrical equipment and installations against inadmissibly high surges and/or to establish equipotential bonding. Surge protective devices are categorized:

a) according to their use into:

• Surge protective devices for power supply installations and devices for nominal voltage ranges up to 1000 V

– according to EN 61643-11:2012 into type 1 / 2 / 3 SPDs
– according to IEC 61643-11:2011 into class I / II / III SPDs
LSP product family to the new EN 61643-11:2012 and IEC 61643-11:2011 standard will be completed in the course of the year 2014.

• Surge protective devices for information technology installations and devices
  for protecting modern electronic equipment in telecommunications and signalling networks with nominal voltages up to 1000 Vac (effective value) and 1500 Vdc against the indirect and direct effects of lightning strikes and other transients.

– according to IEC 61643-21:2009 and EN 61643-21: 2010.

• Isolating spark gaps for earth-termination systems or equipotential bonding
  Surge protective devices for use in photovoltaic systems
  for nominal voltage ranges up to 1500 Vdc

– according to EN 61643-31:2019 (EN 50539-11:2013 will be substituted), IEC 61643-31:2018 into type 1+2, type 2 (Class I+II, Class II) SPDs

b) according to their impulse current discharge capacity and protective effect into:

• Lightning current arresters / coordinated lightning current arresters for protecting installations and equipment against interference resulting from direct or nearby lightning strikes (installed at the boundaries between LPZ 0A and 1).
• Surge arresters for protecting installations, equipment, and terminal devices against remote lightning strikes, switching overvoltages as well as electrostatic discharges (installed at the boundaries downstream of LPZ 0B).
• Combined arresters for protecting installations, equipment, and terminal devices against interference resulting from direct or nearby lightning strikes (installed at the boundaries between LPZ 0A and 1 as well as 0A and 2).

Technical data of surge protective devices

The technical data of surge protective devices include information on their conditions of use according to their:

• Application (e.g. installation, mains conditions, temperature)
• Performance in case of interference (e.g. impulse current discharge capacity, follow current extinguishing capability, voltage protection level, response time)
• Performance during operation (e.g. nominal current, attenuation, insulation resistance)
• Performance in case of failure (e.g. backup fuse, disconnector, failsafe, remote signalling option)

Nominal voltage UN
The nominal voltage stands for the nominal voltage of the system to be protected. The value of the nominal voltage often serves as type designation for surge protective devices for information technology systems. It is indicated as an r.m.s. value for a.c. systems.

Maximum continuous operating voltage UC
The maximum continuous operating voltage (maximum permissible operating voltage) is the r.m.s. value of the maximum voltage which may be connected to the corresponding terminals of the surge protective device during operation. This is the maximum voltage on the arrester in the defined non-conducting state, which reverts the arrester back to this state after it has tripped and discharged. The value of UC depends on the nominal voltage of the system to be protected and the installer’s specifications (IEC 60364-5-534).

Nominal discharge current In
The nominal discharge current is the peak value of a 8/20 μs impulse current for which the surge protective device is rated in a certain test programme and which the surge protective device can discharge several times.

Maximum discharge current Imax
The maximum discharge current is the maximum peak value of the 8/20 μs impulse current which the device can safely discharge.

Lightning impulse current Iimp
The lightning impulse current is a standardised impulse current curve with a 10/350 μs wave form. Its parameters (peak value, charge, specific energy) simulate the load caused by natural lightning currents. Lightning current and combined arresters must be capable of discharging such lightning impulse currents several times without being destroyed.

Total discharge current Itotal
Current which flows through the PE, PEN or earth connection of a multipole SPD during the total discharge current test. This test is used to determine the total load if current simultaneously flows through several protective paths of a multipole SPD. This parameter is decisive for the total discharge capacity which is reliably handled by the sum of the individual paths of an SPD.

Voltage protection level UP
The voltage protection level of a surge protective device is the maximum instantaneous value of the voltage at the terminals of a surge protective device, determined from the standardised individual tests:
– Lightning impulse sparkover voltage 1.2/50 μs (100%)
– Sparkover voltage with a rate of rise of 1kV/μs
– Measured limit voltage at a nominal discharge current In
The voltage protection level characterises the capability of a surge protective device to limit surges to a residual level. The voltage protection level defines the installation location with regard to the overvoltage category according to IEC 60664-1 in power supply systems. For surge protective devices to be used in information technology systems, the voltage protection level must be adapted to the immunity level of the equipment to be protected (IEC 61000-4-5: 2001).

Short-circuit current rating ISCCR
Maximum prospective short-circuit current from the power system for which the SPD, in
conjunction with the disconnector specified, is rated

Short-circuit withstand capability
The short-circuit withstand capability is the value of the prospective power-frequency short-circuit current handled by the surge protective device when the relevant maximum backup fuse is connected upstream.

Short-circuit rating ISCPV of an SPD in a photovoltaic (PV) system
Maximum uninfluenced short-circuit current which the SPD, alone or in conjunction with its disconnection devices, is able to withstand.

Temporary overvoltage (TOV)
Temporary overvoltage may be present at the surge protective device for a short period of time due to a fault in the high-voltage system. This must be clearly distinguished from a transient caused by a lightning strike or a switching operation, which last no longer than about 1 ms. The amplitude UT and the duration of this temporary overvoltage are specified in EN 61643-11 (200 ms, 5 s or 120 min.) and are individually tested for the relevant SPDs according to the system configuration (TN, TT, etc.). The SPD can either a) reliably fail (TOV safety) or b) be TOV-resistant (TOV withstand), meaning that it is completely operational during and following
temporary overvoltages.

Nominal load current (nominal current) IL
The nominal load current is the maximum permissible operating current which may permanently flow through the corresponding terminals.

Protective conductor current IPE
The protective conductor current is the current which flows through the PE connection when the surge protective device is connected to the maximum continuous operating voltage UC, according to the installation instructions and without load-side consumers.

Mains-side overcurrent protection / arrester backup fuse
Overcurrent protective device (e.g. fuse or circuit breaker) located outside of the arrester on the infeed side to interrupt the power-frequency follow current as soon as the breaking capacity of the surge protective device is exceeded. No additional backup fuse is required since the backup fuse is already integrated in the SPD (see relevant section).

Operating temperature range TU
The operating temperature range indicates the range in which the devices can be used. For non-self-heating devices, it is equal to the ambient temperature range. The temperature rise for self-heating devices must not exceed the maximum value indicated.

Response time tA
Response times mainly characterise the response performance of individual protection elements used in arresters. Depending on the rate of rise du/dt of the impulse voltage or di/dt of the impulse current, the response times may vary within certain limits.

Thermal disconnector
Surge protective devices for use in power supply systems equipped with voltage-controlled resistors (varistors) mostly feature an integrated thermal disconnector that disconnects the surge protective device from the mains in case of overload and indicates this operating state. The disconnector responds to the “current heat“ generated by an overloaded varistor and disconnects the surge protective device from the mains if a certain temperature is exceeded. The disconnector is designed to disconnect the overloaded surge protective device in time to prevent a fire. It is not intended to ensure protection against indirect contact. The function of these thermal disconnectors can be tested by means of a simulated overload / ageing of the arresters.

Remote signalling contact
A remote signalling contact allows easy remote monitoring and indication of the operating state of the device. It features a three-pole terminal in the form of a floating changeover contact. This contact can be used as break and / or make contact and can thus be easily integrated in the building control system, controller of the switchgear cabinet, etc.

N-PE arrester
Surge protective devices exclusively designed for installation between the N and PE conductor.

Combination wave
A combination wave is generated by a hybrid generator (1.2/50 μs, 8/20 μs) with a fictitious impedance of 2 Ω. The open-circuit voltage of this generator is referred to as UOC. UOC is a preferred indicator for type 3 arresters since only these arresters may be tested with a combination wave (according to EN 61643-11).

Degree of protection
The IP degree of protection corresponds to the protection categories described in IEC 60529.

Frequency range
The frequency range represents the transmission range or cut-off frequency of an arrester depending on the described attenuation characteristics.

Protective circuit
Protective circuits are multi-stage, cascaded protective devices. The individual protection stages may consist of spark gaps, varistors, semiconductor elements and gas discharge tubes.

Return loss
In high-frequency applications, the return loss refers to how many parts of the “leading“ wave are reflected at the protective device (surge point). This is a direct measure of how well a protective device is attuned to the characteristic impedance of the system.

Excerpted from INTERNATIONAL STANDARD IEC 61643-11-2011 Low-voltage surge protective devices – Part 11 Surge protective devices connected to low-voltage power systems – Requirements and test methods [Edition 1.0 2011-03]

Terms, definitions and abbreviations

3.1 Terms and definitions
3.1.1
surge protective device SPD
device that contains at least one nonlinear component that is intended to limit surge voltages
and divert surge currents
NOTE: An SPD is a complete assembly, having appropriate connecting means.

3.1.2
one-port SPD
SPD having no intended series impedance
NOTE: A one port SPD may have separate input and output connections.

3.1.3
two-port SPD
SPD having a specific series impedance connected between separate input and output connections

3.1.4
voltage switching type SPD
SPD that has a high impedance when no surge is present, but can have a sudden change in impedance to a low value in response to a voltage surge
NOTE: Common examples of components used in voltage switching type SPDs are spark gaps, gas tubes and thyristors. These are sometimes called “crowbar type” components.

3.1.5
voltage limiting type SPD
SPD that has a high impedance when no surge is present, but will reduce it continuously with
increased surge current and voltage
NOTE: Common examples of components used in voltage limiting type SPDs are varistors and avalanche breakdown diodes. These are sometimes called “clamping type” components.

3.1.6
combination type SPD
SPD that incorporates both, voltage switching components and voltage limiting components.
The SPD may exhibit voltage switching, limiting or both

3.1.7
short-circuiting type SPD
SPD tested according to Class II tests which changes its characteristic to an intentional internal short-circuit due to a surge current exceeding its nominal discharge current In

3.1.8
mode of protection of an SPD
an intended current path, between terminals that contains protective components, e.g. line- toline, line-to-earth, line-to-neutral, neutral-to-earth.

3.1.9
nominal discharge current for class II test In
crest value of the current through the SPD having a current waveshape of 8/20

3.1.10
impulse discharge current for class I test Iimp
crest value of a discharge current through the SPD with specified charge transfer Q and specified energy W/R in the specified time

3.1.11
maximum continuous operating voltage UC
maximum r.m.s. voltage, which may be continuously applied to the SPD’s mode of protection
NOTE: The UC value covered by this standard may exceed 1 000 V.

3.1.12
follow current If
peak current supplied by the electrical power system and flowing through the SPD after a discharge current impulse

3.1.13
rated load current IL
maximum continuous rated r.m.s. current that can be supplied to a resistive load connected to
the protected output of an SPD

3.1.14
voltage protection level UP
maximum voltage to be expected at the SPD terminals due to an impulse stress with defined voltage steepness and an impulse stress with a discharge current with given amplitude and waveshape
NOTE: The voltage protection level is given by the manufacturer and may not be exceeded by:
– the measured limiting voltage, determined for front-of-wave sparkover (if applicable) and the measured limiting voltage, determined from the residual voltage measurements at amplitudes corresponding to In and/or Iimp respectively for test classes II and/or I;
– the measured limiting voltage at UOC, determined for the combination wave for test class III.

3.1.15
measured limiting voltage
highest value of voltage that is measured across the terminals of the SPD during the application of impulses of specified waveshape and amplitude

3.1.16
residual voltage Ures
crest value of voltage that appears between the terminals of an SPD due to the passage of discharge current

3.1.17
temporary overvoltage test value UT
test voltage applied to the SPD for a specific duration tT, to simulate the stress under TOV conditions

3.1.18
load-side surge withstand capability for a two-port SPD
ability of a two-port SPD to withstand surges on the output terminals originating in circuitry downstream of the SPD

3.1.19
voltage rate-of-rise of a two-port SPD
rate of change of voltage with time measured at the output terminals of a two port SPD under specified test conditions

3.1.20
1,2/50 voltage impulse
voltage impulse with a nominal virtual front time of 1,2 μs and a nominal time to half-value of 50 μs
NOTE: The Clause 6 of IEC 60060-1 (1989) defines the voltage impulse definitions of front time, time to halfvalue and waveshape tolerance.

3.1.21
8/20 current impulse
current impulse with a nominal virtual front time of 8 μs and a nominal time to half-value of 20 μs
NOTE: The Clause 8 of IEC 60060-1 (1989) defines the current impulse definitions of front time, time to half-value and waveshape tolerance.

3.1.22
combination wave
a wave characterized by defined voltage amplitude (UOC) and waveshape under open-circuit conditions and a defined current amplitude (ICW) and waveshape under short-circuit conditions
NOTE: The voltage amplitude, current amplitude and waveform that is delivered to the SPD are determined by the combination wave generator (CWG) impedance Zf and the impedance of the DUT.
3.1.23
open circuit voltage UOC
open circuit voltage of the combination wave generator at the point of connection of the device under test

3.1.24
combination wave generator short-circuit current ICW
prospective short-circuit current of the combination wave generator, at the point of connection of the device under test
NOTE: When the SPD is connected to the combination wave generator, the current that flows through the device is generally less than ICW.

3.1.25
thermal stability
SPD is thermally stable if, after heating up during the operating duty test, its temperature decreases with time while energized at specified maximum continuous operating voltage and at specified ambient temperature conditions

3.1.26
degradation (of performance)
undesired permanent departure in the operational performance of equipment or a system from its intended performance

3.1.27
short-circuit current rating ISCCR
maximum prospective short-circuit current from the power system for which the SPD, in conjunction with the disconnector specified, is rated Copyright International Electrotechnical Commission

3.1.28
SPD disconnector (disconnector)
device for disconnecting an SPD, or part of an SPD, from the power system
NOTE: This disconnecting device is not required to have isolating capability for safety purposes. It is to prevent a persistent fault on the system and is used to give an indication of an SPD’s failure. Disconnectors can be internal (built in) or external (required by the manufacturer). There may be more than one disconnector function, for example an over-current protection function and a thermal protection function. These functions may be in separate units.

3.1.29
degree of protection of enclosure IP
classification preceded by the symbol IP indicating the extent of protection provided by an enclosure against access to hazardous parts, against ingress of solid foreign objects and possibly harmful ingress of water

3.1.30
type test
conformity test made on one or more items representative of the production[IEC 60050-151:2001, 151-16-16]

3.1.31
routine test
test made on each SPD or on parts and materials as required to ensure that the product meets the design specifications[IEC 60050-151:2001, 151-16-17, modified]

3.1.32
acceptance tests
contractual test to prove to the customer that the item meets certain conditions of its specification[IEC 60050-151:2001, 151-16-23]

3.1.33
decoupling network
an electrical circuit intended to prevent surge energy from being propagated to the power network during energized testing of SPDs
NOTE: This electrical circuit is sometimes called a “back filter”.

3.1.34
Impulse test classification

3.1.34.1
class I tests
tests carried out with the impulse discharge current Iimp, with an 8/20 current impulse with a crest value equal to the crest value of Iimp, and with a 1,2/50 voltage impulse

3.1.34.2
class II tests
tests carried out with the nominal discharge current In, and the 1,2/50 voltage impulse

3.1.34.3
class III tests
tests carried out with the 1,2/50 voltage – 8/20 current combination wave generator

3.1.35
residual current device RCD
switching device or associated devices intended to cause the opening of the power circuit when the residual or unbalance current attains a given value under specified conditions

3.1.36
sparkover voltage of a voltage switching SPD
trigger voltage of a voltage switching SPD
maximum voltage value at which the sudden change from high to low impedance starts for a voltage switching SPD

3.1.37
specific energy for class I test W/R
energy dissipated by a unit resistance of 1 Ώ with the impulse discharge current Iimp
NOTE: This is equal to the time integral of the square of the current (W / R = ∫ i 2d t).

3.1.38
prospective short-circuit current of a power supply IP
current which would flow at a given location in a circuit if it were short-circuited at that location by a link of negligible impedance
NOTE: This prospective symmetrical current is expressed by its r.m.s. value.

3.1.39
follow current interrupt rating Ifi
prospective short-circuit current that an SPD is able to interrupt without operation of a disconnector

3.1.40
residual current IPE
current flowing through the PE terminal of the SPD while energized at the reference test voltage (UREF) when connected according to the manufacturer’s instructions

3.1.41
status indicator
device that indicates the operational status of an SPD, or a part of an SPD.
NOTE: Such indicators may be local with visual and/or audible alarms and/or may have remote signalling and/or output contact capability.

3.1.42
output contact
contact included in a circuit separate from the main circuit of an SPD, and linked to a disconnector or status indicator

3.1.43
multipole SPD
type of SPD with more than one mode of protection, or a combination of electrically interconnected SPDs offered as a unit

3.1.44
total discharge current ITotal
current which flows through the PE or PEN conductor of a multipole SPD during the total discharge current test
NOTE 1: The aim is to take into account cumulative effects that occur when multiple modes of protection of a multipole SPD conduct at the same time.
NOTE 2: ITotal is particularly relevant for SPDs tested according to test class I, and is used for the purpose of lightning protection equipotential bonding according to IEC 62305 series.

3.1.45
reference test voltage UREF
r.m.s. value of voltage used for testing which depends on the mode of protection of the SPD, the nominal system voltage, the system configuration and the voltage regulation within the system
NOTE: The reference test voltage is selected from Annex A based on the information given by the manufacturer according to 7.1.1 b8).

3.1.46
transition surge current rating for short-circuiting type SPD Itrans
8/20 impulse current value exceeding the nominal discharge current In, that will cause a shortcircuiting type SPD to short-circuit

3.1.47
Voltage for clearance determination Umax
highest measured voltage during surge applications according 8.3.3 for clearance determination

3.1.48
maximum discharge current Imax
crest value of a current through the SPD having an 8/20 waveshape and magnitude according
to the manufacturers specification. Imax is equal to or greater than In

3.2 Abbreviations

Table 1 – List of Abbreviations

4 Service conditions
4.1 Frequency
Frequency range is from 47 Hz to 63 Hz a.c.

4.2 Voltage
The voltage applied continuously between the terminals of the surge protective device (SPD)
must not exceed its maximum continuous operating voltage UC.

4.3 Air pressure and altitude
Air pressure is 80 kPa to 106 kPa. These values represent an altitude of +2 000 m to -500 m, respectively.

4.4 Temperatures

• normal range: –5 °C to +40 °C
  NOTE: This range addresses SPDs for indoor use in weather-protected locations having neither temperature nor humidity control and corresponds to the characteristics of external influences code AB4 in IEC 60364-5-51.
• extended range: -40 °C to +70 °C
  NOTE: This range addresses SPDs for outdoor use in non weather protected locations.

4.5 Humidity

• normal range: 5 % to 95 %
  NOTE This range addresses SPDs for indoor use in weather-protected locations having neither temperature nor humidity control and corresponds to the characteristics of external influences code AB4 in IEC 60364-5-51.
• extended range: 5 % to 100 %
  NOTE This range addresses SPDs for outdoor use in non weather protected locations.

5 Classification
The manufacture shall classify the SPDs in accordance with the following parameters.
5.1 Number of ports
5.1.1 One
5.1.2 Two
5.2 SPD design
5.2.1 Voltage switching
5.2.2 Voltage limiting
5.2.3 Combination
5.3 Class I, II and III tests
Information required for class I, class II and class III tests is given in Table 2.

Table 2 – Class I, II and III tests