SMART GRID relies on Surge Protection

NEMA electroindustry, September 2010

Smart Grid will allow utilities to move electricity as effectively and economically as possible.  It will also allow homeowners, business owners and government entities - in short, all facility owners or users - to make economical choices.

This opportunity brings many challenges and an increased need for surge protection because of:

SOLAR AND WIND POWER

Solar and wind power, by nature, are intermittent. If a system is balanced to accommodate solar load, even a stray

cloud can destroy that balance. And wind can gust from 0 to 60 mph in less than one minute, causing substantial voltage spikes and disturbances. 

Inverters are key components in these systems. They convert DC power generated by solar panels or wind turbines into usable AC power that is synchronized with the grid-tie system, which powers the electrical system in a stand-alone or battery storage system. 

Inverters, however, are loaded with sensitive electronics. Their purpose is to synchronize AC power with grid-supplied power. This is critical-failure of these inverters is unacceptable since the energy generation system relies on them to function properly.

Solar panel installations require surge protection to protect costly inverters that can fail during lightning storms.

Wind turbines require surge protection to protect voltage regulators and motordriven generators. Surge protective

devices (SPDs) protect inverters on both output (AC) and input (DC) electronics. 

SURGE PROTECTION

Surges, or transients, are brief overvoltage spikes or disturbances on a power waveform that can damage, degrade, or destroy electronic equipment. The presence of sensitive electronic equipment is growing exponentially. Surges can result in lost productivity.

Surges and spikes can be generated internally or externally, and only a solid protection system will ensure the most

effective power quality. It is estimated that 60 to 80 percent of surges are internally generated. A common source for surges generated inside a building is a device that

switches power on and off.

Inside transients include inductive coupling. Whenever electric current flows, a magnetic field is created. If this

magnetic field extends to a second wire, it will induce a voltage in that wire. Examples include elevators, HVAC with

variable frequency drives, fluorescent light ballasts, welders, and compressors. 

Outside transients include utility grid switching, magnetic coupling, and direct lightning strikes. 

Modern electrical and electronic devices have some level of surge protection built into them. However, the level of surge protection in the vast majority of devices is limited and may only provide surge suppression for a limited amount of time.

SPDs are designed to have a life of 25 to 40 years and can mitigate thousands of surges with little to no degradation in

performance. SPDs also meet stringent safety standards for surge suppression.  SPDs are a critical component in a Smart

Grid system and must not be overlooked.  NEMA SPD manufacturers can assist in developing an effective protection system to meet your needs.

Andi Haa is a certified quality systems auditor with more than 20 years in quality assurance and the surge protective device industry. She is a member of IEEE and serves on various standards panels.

Link to published article

Seeds of Belief: Attitude Is Everything by Denis Waitley

Your attitude is either the lock on or key to your door of success.

It's not what you are that holds you back, it's what you think you're not.

A smile is the light in your window that lets others know there is a caring person inside.

The most important three words you can say to yourself: "Yes, I can!"

If you believe you can... you probably can.
If you believe you won't... you most assuredly won't.

Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launching pad.

The "Seeds" above have been transplanted directly from The Seeds of Greatness Treasury by Denis Waitley. The beautiful hardbound book is a collection of some of his best-loved "words to remember." Click here to order The Seeds of Greatness Treasury.