Surge Protection Now Required
The National Electrical Code (NEC), which has been adopted by all 50 states, sets the minimum standard for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to keep people and property protected from electrical hazards. In an effort to reduce the risk of injury and potential damage to electrical systems and buildings, the newest version of the National Electrical Code, the NEC 2020, will require the installation of a Type 1 or Type 2 SPD, Surge Suppression Device, on all new dwelling unit services.
What are SPDs?
Surge Protection Devices have been installed in commercial services for some time and have been referred to as TVSS’s or Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors. The 2009 edition of UL 1449 changed the name from TVSS to SPD or Surge Protection Devices. These devices limit voltage spikes or surges on the electrical system which are caused by lightning strikes, or from large inductive loads, such as motors, being turned on an off. When magnetic fields are generated, they expand and collapse when a motor is turned on and off. It is this expanding and collapsing magnetic field that creates voltage spikes. SPDs are basically filters that protect the electrical equipment and people from these sudden voltage spikes.
What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 SPDs?
A Type 1 SPD is a hardwired, permanently connected SPD which may be installed on the utility side of the main service overcurrent protective device (i.e. before the main breaker at the service), or it may be installed after the main breaker. The Type 1 SPD can be installed on the line side or load side of the main breaker.
A Type 2 SPD is also a hardwired, permanently connected SPD which must be installed after the main service overcurrent protective device. This means it must be installed on the load side of the main breaker.
Type 3 SPDs are point-of-use devices and are still recommended for the protection of computers, TV’s and other electronic devices, but are outside the scope of the Article 230.67 requirements and cannot be used to comply with the provisions of this section.
620.51(E) “Where any of the disconnecting means in 620.51 has been designated as supplying an emergency system load, surge protection shall be provided”. This article was added to address emergency system loads such as elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, chairlifts and associated equipment.
645.18 “Surge protection shall be provided for Critical Operations Data Systems.” Critical Operation Data Systems is defined by the NECT as “Information technology equipment systems that require continuous operation for reasons of public safety, emergency management, national security or business continuity.”
670.6 “Industrial machinery with safety interlock circuits shall have surge protection installed”. The concern is failure of safety interlocks on machinery, causing safety risk to operators who may not be aware of disabled safety mechanisms.
694.7(D) “A surge protection device shall be installed between a wind electric system and any loads served by the premises electrical system.” The surge device can be on the circuit serving the wind electric system or on the load side of the service disconnect.
695.15 “A listed surge protection device shall be installed in or on the fire pump controller.” A new NEC provision requires a listed surge protection device (SPD) to be installed in or on the fire pump controller. An SPD is necessary to provide protection for the fire pump controller. A study commissioned by the Fire Protection Research Foundation found that 12% of those surveyed had damage to fire pumps due to surges.
700.8 “A listed SPD shall be installed in or on all emergency systems switchboards and panelboards.” The NEC defines emergency power systems as systems legally required to automatically supply power to designated loads upon loss of normal power. This requirement will help ensure emergency electrical-distribution systems continue to deliver reliable power to vital life-safety loads in the event of damaging surges.
708.20 “Surge protection devices shall be provided at all facility voltage distribution levels” for Critical Operation Power Systems (COPS). COPS systems include but are not limited to power systems, HVAC, fire alarms, security, communications and signaling for designated critical operations areas. Surge protection ensures that these systems will operate in an emergency situation.