Summary
In 2017, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) conducted a survey of electrical designers, planners, and engineers and found that there was a limited understanding of the purpose and effectiveness of surge protection devices. In response to the survey results, ESFI created educational materials to spread awareness of surge protection.
An important factor revealed by this survey was the failure of industry engineers and experts to distinguish surge protection devices from over current devices or circuit interrupters (such as a GFCI breaker). SPDs are designed to handle fast transients or surges, rather than excess voltage or current. While some Type 1 SPDs may be equipped with external overcurrent protection, it should be noted that this is not the case with all variations of SPDs, and that it is not the preliminary function of the devices. Likewise, overcurrent devices do not provide surge protection.
In a 2017 survey of electrical designers, electrical planners, and electrical engineers who worked in designing / renovating electrical systems in industrial facilities, healthcare facilities, and IT centers, the Electrical Safety Foundation International found that:
Most frequently mentioned surge protection devices designed or installed into buildings:
Frequency of Surges
Voltage surges significant enough to cause equipment damage occur with monthly or greater frequency in:
Surges significant enough to cause injury or death occur annually, or less than once a year in:
Reason Surge Protection Was Installed:
Reason Surge Protection Was NOT Installed:
Causes of Surge:
Circuit Interrupters and Over Current Devices are NOT Surge Protection Devices
Want to partner with ESFI on this initiative? Contact info@esfi.org or publish a press release with our template below:
