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FAQ
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Q
What is a Surge Protector?
ASurge Protectors are designed to reduce and divert potentially damaging short-duration voltage spikes safely out of the system to Ground. This is similar in concept to pressure relief valves that protect water heaters from overpressure. It is a common misconception that surge protectors "absorb" surges when in fact their purpose is to divert the surge away from the protected equipment to Ground.
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Q
How often do these disturbances occur?
ABecause we use so many things like PLC, Switch, router, pumps, CCTV systems all the time, disturbances happen frequently.
The map above shows the average yearly counts of lightning flashes per square kilometer based on data collected by NASA's Lightning Imaging Sensor on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite between 1995 and 2002. Places where less than one flash occurred (on average) each year are gray or light purple. The places with the largest number of lightning strikes are deep red, grading to black -
Q
Aren’t my circuit breakers enough?
ACommon AC circuit breakers don’t react quickly enough to protect sensitive electronic equipment. WPX’s SPD reacts in less that a billionth of a second. Also, it’s important to note that Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) circuit breakers are not surge protectors and therefore do not provide surge protection. They protect against shock hazard.
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Q
Do I need surge protection?
AYes. The reality is that surges are occuring daily and effecting the equipment in your home, office or factory. Typically surge protection is attributed to "lightning protection" but the fact of the matter is that surges are caused most often from utility disturbances and internally generated surges. It is common for factory or home owners to lose equipment due to surge damage and not even realize it. Many “mysterious” equipment, and computer problems such as devices failure are actually due to electrical surges. Also, breakdowns and replacements of electronic equipment due to what you think of as “normal” wear and tear may actually be due to internally or externally caused surges.
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What is the Surge Protection?
AThe Surge Protection is a system of surge protectors working together to eliminate surges from a number of external and internal sources. Applying surge protectors at the incoming electrical, cable/satellite, control system, and telephone utility services keep externally generated surges from entering your office or factory or home. Localized surge protectors applied to sensitive electronics safeguard against internally generated surges.
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Q
What is a power surge?
APower surges (referred to as transients in the industry) are extremely brief, abnormally high voltage spikes on the AC power. There are a number of conditions that affect the quality of power you receive with power surges by far the most common. Every piece of electrical equipment in your home is designed to operate at a specified nominal voltage such as 230V / 120 Volts AC. Most equipment is designed to handle minor variations in their standard nominal operating voltage; however, even the smallest power surges can be very damaging to nearly all equipment.