The team at Phoenix Contact look into the latest requirements around the use of surge protection and introduce a new range that aims to meet and exceed these needs.
Since the introduction of BS 7671:2018 Wiring Regulations Amendment 2 in 2022 and the corrigendum in 2023, the general awareness for surge protection has improved. It can, however, still be a bit of a grey area for device selection and product installation.
With the ever-complex requirements and need for protection not only with general circuit protection, AFDD units, RCBO devices and even new bi-directional protection requirements, the sensitivity and protection of electrical installations and equipment is paramount.
With the largest percentage of failures in equipment being either internal or externally induced faults, it’s essential that surge protection is selected to prevent issues arising within all types of domestic, commercial, and industrial applications.
Surge protection is a necessity
The replacement of the recommendation for installation of surge protection via Calculated Risk Level (CRL) within section 443 of BS 7671 in force since 2022, (the requirement within the regulations), has now become a ‘shall be’ installed for transient overvoltage protection, not only for atmospheric occurrences but switching events also.
The consequence of this is that unless a customer or end user defines the risk as tolerable, surge protection must be installed in all installations for compliance. Additionally, Chapter 13 of the regulations also references fundamental principles specifically item 131.1 covering risk of injury inclusive of voltage disturbances, further substantiating the inclusion of surge protection.
While there are a wide variety of surge protection units out on the market, devices can differ in protection levels and installations do require different levels of transient protection. These can range from existing installations with or without a lightning protection system, type of earthing system and even voltage types such as AC or DC supplies.
Introducing a new family
Phoenix Contact has launched a new family of Type 2 AC and DC products – The Valvetrab SPP – which aims to set the surge protection standards of the future – today!
You’ll find a number of important features in the units which encompass the new IEC 61643 standards for compliance, whilst offering new and improved safety and installation benefits.
The product range, benchmarking and setting new levels in protection, offers superior performance across a wide range of applications, whilst providing a quick, efficient installation in an innovative and simple solution for protection requirements.
Key benefits include:
- Easy and safe installation with forward-thinking handling and safety features.
- Reliable system protection with maximum performance and endurance.
- Can be used in a wide range of applications due to the optimised design and broad portfolio.
- Simple planning due to comprehensive easy to use digital data and selectors.
To make life easier for installers, the Phoenix Contact website provides the full range of surge protective devices for all types and levels of system protection, lightning and surge protection guides, plus additional information covering device selection, installations and guidance on the electrical standards.
Visit the Phoenix Contact website here
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