What are Surge Protective Devices

A 2024 survey by the Electrical Safety Foundation International found that 73% of industrial and commercial facilities experienced a surge. 31% of these facilities experience multiple surges in a year.  What is a voltage surge? A power surge is a brief overvoltage event that can damage electrical devices and is a common cause for failure […]

Surge Protective Devices (SPD): Benefits and Misconceptions

Download Attachment Surge Protective Devices Benefits and Misconceptions  The Understanding of Surge Protective Devices Survey In 2021 and 2024, the Electrical Safety Foundation International surveyed industrial and commercial facility professionals on the impact of voltage surges. These professionals provided insights on regarding power surge incidences and effects, as well as uses of surge protectives devices […]

Surge Protection Highlights – Video Short

From 2017 to 2023, surge protective devices (SPD) have undergone major changes in the requirements set by the National Electrical Code. These changes are designed to better protect people and equipment from power surges. In 2017, surge protection was required for emergency elevators, dumb waiters, escalators, moving walks, platform lifts, stairway chairlifts, and fire pump […]

Prevent Facility Downtime with Surge Protective Devices – Video Short

A recent survey by ESFI and NEMA found that power surges are responsible for over 1/3 of unplanned outages and downtime in facilities across the country. Nearly ¾ of facilities experience unexpected downtime multiple times a year because of power surges. And we all know that downtime can have a significant impact on your bottom […]

Magnetic and Inductive Coupling Surges – Video Short

Power surges can happen anywhere. But 60 to 80% of them originate from equipment inside our buildings and facilities. Power surges can be caused by magnetic and inductive coupling from elevators, HVAC systems, variable frequency drives, computers, and more. Be aware that magnetic and inductive coupling can cause power surges and take steps to protect […]

Healthcare Surge Protection – Video Short

Surge protective devices (SPD) are required for emergency systems and for areas of nursing homes and limited care facilities used exclusively as patients’ sleeping rooms. SPDs protect critical infrastructure that help patients and also prevent the 3 D’s of power surges: destruction, disruption, and degradation.   It’s important to be aware of the causes of […]

Common Surge Internal Causes – Video Short

Power surges can happen anywhere. But 60 to 80% of them originate from equipment inside our buildings and facilities. These damaging surges are typically caused by large electrical loads switching off and on like HVAC systems and elevators. Power surges can be caused by switching electrical loads from contactors, relays, and breakers, as well as […]

Common Surge External Causes – Video Short

Power surges can happen anywhere. But 60 to 80% of them originate from equipment inside our buildings and facilities. However, external sources are also known to cause havoc. Indirect lightning events, power grid switching, and damage to power lines or transformers are all capable of causing power surges in your facility. It’s important to be […]

Benefits of Surge Protective Devices – Video Short

Voltage surges can damage equipment and lead to unexpected downtime. While GFCIs, fuses and breakers, and consumer UPSs help meet your facility’s safety requirements, only surge protective devices (SPD) can prevent the three D’s of power surges: destruction, disruptions, and degradation. A power surge can happen so fast that a typical circuit breaker cannot detect […]

Surge Protective Devices Misconceptions

A recent survey of facility professionals revealed mixed results on the knowledge of surge protection. Only surge protective devices, also known as transient voltage surge suppressors, protect against power surges. Fuses and breakers, GFCIs, wiring, low-cost uninterruptable power supplies, and typical power strips do not. A recent survey found that 79% of facility owners estimated […]

Understanding Surge Protective Devices Survey

In 2021, the Electrical Safety Foundation International surveyed industrial and commercial facility professionals, including managers, owners, building engineers, heads of maintenance, and related occupations. These professionals provided insights regarding power surge incidents and effects, as well as usage of Surge Protective Devices in the facilities they manage.  SEE FULL SURVEY RESULTS Common Voltage Surge Causes: […]