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 of electrical equipment. Surges can damage and reduce the lifespan of critical electrical devices. A surge can be caused by external factors – such as lightning or power line damage – or internal factors, like electrical overload, fault wiring, or equipment turning on and off.

What are Surge Protective Devices (SPD)?

SPDs protect electrical devices from voltage spikes by limiting the flow of electricity during surge events.

Does my Facility Need SPDs?

  • Surges are common
    74% of survey respondents reported that their facility has experienced surges
  • Surges are unpredictable
    29% of respondents said that lightning was the most common cause of surges at their facility
  • Surges are costly
    40% of respondents reported that their facility has experienced a surge that has caused equipment failure
  • SPDs work
    71% of respondents stated that surge protective devices reduce downtime and equipment failure significantly or completely

All Facilities Need SPDs

  • Facility professionals estimated that unplanned downtime cost their facilities over $50,000 per year
  • 45% of respondents reported that their facility experienced a surge causing downtime in the last year
  • 41% of respondents reported that a surge caused an equipment restart or mis-operation
  • 54% of respondents reported that a surge caused a power outage at their facility
  • 63% of respondents’ facilities experienced surges multiple times a year
  • 68% of damaged equipment caused by surges were only in service for less than 5 years

 What are the National Electrical Code Requirements for SPDs

As of the 2023 National Electrical Code, SPDs are required in:

  • Industrial control panels
  • Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, platform lifts, and stairway chairlifts
  • Critical operations power systems
  • Fire alarm control panels
  • Emergency systems
  • All services and feeders supplying:
    • Dwellings
    • Dormitory units
    • Guest rooms and guest suites of hotels and motels
    • Areas of nursing home and limited care facilities used exclusively as patient sleeping room

Visit NEMAsurge.org to learn more