Surge protection?

[wozzit99]

Hi

Apart from the usual protection devices mcb's, rcd's, string fuses, etc are any of you fitting spd's to the a/c and d/c circuits, especially on large installs?


Cheers

 

[needasparks]

was wondering about this subject, with the amount of panels now being used if surging on the grid was any more common.
And will it alter Lightning strike registers around the country. Guess that last bit will not be known for a couple of years yet.

 

[wozzit99]

There is a risk assesment you can carry out for use of spd's concerning lighning strikes, middle of a field, highest building for miles around etc but lightning can do some serious damage to sensitive kit even if the strike is not direct. Could prove costly on a big install.

 

[SibertSolar]

Does this help? Surge Protection Devices - Sibert - automated equipment manufacturer and supplier of process consumables

 

[needasparks]

Not really, we know what SPD's are, It does not answer the question though.

 

[daytona600]

mainly used in europe - not common in the uk
cost of units far less than you think & save a fortune compared to damage to pv inverters loss of fits also tv/pc etc
600/1000vdc on generation side & 240/415v on grid side class 2 surge/overvoltage class 1 lightning/surge/overvoltage

 

[edexlab]

We installed a system close to a property which received a direct strike (approx 50mtrs away) the affected property was lower than the pv install by about 1.5mtr and only had a normal aerial fixed to a chimney there is a small wooded area nearby and with some quite tall trees ,this on the edge of a suburban area ,luckily the install was unaffected but this just goes to show that the positioning and height of a house is not necessarily a good indicator of the likelihood of a lightning strike.

another point to add to Daytonas post is that any installation fitted after the new amendment came into practice not fitted with appropriate surge protection ,struck by lightning would be probably not be covered by the property insurance.