While electrical surges are largely unpredictable, their impact on industrial and commercial systems can be devastating. From damage to high-value equipment to costly downtime and production losses, the consequences of electrical surges are far-reaching. Given today’s reliance on automated systems, sensitive electronics, and high-powered infrastructure, surge protection is a necessity, not just an option.
Type 2 SPDs are the most frequently used surge protective devices in commercial and industrial facilities. What, then, is a Type 2 SPD? Where does it fit in the context of advanced surge protection solutions? And at what point is it advantageous to consider installation?
This guide is designed for B2B professionals, including facility managers, electrical engineers, and procurement specialists who must make decisions related to infrastructure investments.
Type 2 SPDs: The Basics
A Type 2 SPD (Surge Protective Device) is used on the sub distribution frames. It is placed after the main service entrance, at the main distribution board. It is a secondary device in the hierarchy of protective devices and it limits the voltage surges that may be transmitted into the building’s electrical systems triggered by indirect lightning strikes, switching operations, or by disturbances in upstream equipment.
Type 2 SPDs work by monitoring for voltage surges and safely redirecting excess energy to the ground before damage can happen. SPDs of this type are designed to minimize the structured electrical system and subsequently connected equipment’s risk of sustained overvoltage damage failure, thereby ensuring uninterrupted system functionality.
Compared to Type 1 SPDs that are placed at the service entrance to handle the initial impact of lightning strikes and other surges, Type 2 devices are designed to capture and mitigate surge energy that has managed to bypass the first line of defense.
As far as advanced surge protection solutions go, Type 2 SPDs are very important in the context of surge protection as they work in combination with Type 1 and Type 3 devices in multilayered protection schemes to defend entire systems.
How Does a Type 2 SPD Work?
Monitoring voltage levels in the electrical circuit is how Type 2 SPDs have been designed to operate. When a surge transient occurs and the voltage surpasses the pre-defined threshold, the SPD activates and directs surge energy to the ground. The device goes back to monitoring and resets after the voltage goes back to a predetermined threshold.
A metal oxide varistor (MOV) is the most critical component in Type 2 SPDs. This MOV component works as a semiconductor and is capable of responding to overvoltage scenarios. Some modern designs include thermal protective and failure indication systems to flag f degradation and breakdown internally to maintenance teams.
Some Type 2 SPDs include the following features:
- High surge capacity (in kiloamperes, kA)
- High-speed response time (in nanoseconds)
- Thermal disconnection mechanisms
- Remote signaling contacts for system monitoring
- Maintenance friendly modular or replaceable structure
Due to the large surge energy these devices handle, a suitable model must be chosen to maintain safety and performance. Advanced surge protection solutions service providers will offer the right specification due to years of experience, taking into consideration the electrical enclosure, risk parameters, and equipment.
When Should You Use a Type 2 SPD?
Knowing when to use a Type 2 SPD requires an understanding of your facility’s layout, its exposure to surges, and the risk mitigation strategy in place. Type 2 SPDs are necessary in these cases and are a “must-have” in these situations:
Facilities with Sensitive Electronics
Components involved in industrial automation and smart building systems operate with strict voltage tolerances. Sensitive electronic components such as circuit boards, processors, and comm systems are estrogenic to surges. Type 2 SPDs are designed to protect these systems from transient overvoltage events.
Locations with Long Power Distribution Lines
Facilities with long cable runs, such as warehouses, logistics hubs, and manufacturing plants, are often exposed to external surges, posing a risk of voltage spikes. Type 2 SPDs guard against surges throughout the entire distribution line, including remote loads.
Sites with Critical Operational Continuity
Type 2 SPDs are especially critical in systems with critical operational continuity such as hospitals, data centers, and any area in need of constant operation. These areas need to maintain power quality and operational reliability, making Type 2 SPDs a necessity to guard against unanticipated electrical interruptions.
Installations Without External Lightning Protection
Facilities lacking a lightning protection system are at risk of voltage surges due to a changing grid. In this scenario, Type 2 SPDs provide the foremost line of defense.
Complementing Type 1 and Type 3 SPDs
To achieve complete system protection, Type 2 SPDs work in conjunction with Type 1 SPDs located at the service entrance and Type 3 SPDs that are situated closer to the end-user devices. This coordinated methodology contributes to the development of advanced surge protection solutions that encompass all tiers of the electrical infrastructure.
As a concluding statement:
While devising advanced surge protection solutions, every effort must be made to include a type 2 SPD at the distribution level to achieve complete system protection and safeguard all devices and equipment.
Primary Considerations in Choosing a Type 2 SPD
Choosing the most appropriate Type 2 SPD for your system demands a more in-depth evaluation as not all SPDs have the same features. Consider the following most critical factors:
Nominal Voltage and Frequency
Check that the SPD is appropriate for your system’s operating voltage and frequency. Use of an incompatible voltage device may lead to reduced performance, malfunction, and other undesirable consequences.
Maximum Discharge Current (Imax)
This designation tells you the maximum surge current an SPD can safely divert. Increased Imax values are preferable in more industrial environments where there is greater exposure to electrical interference.
Voltage Protection Level (Up)
This is the term used to denote the remaining voltage that is transferred to the protected equipment after the surge suppressor has done its work. The smaller the value of Up, the better the device is for sensitive electronics.
Response Time
A faster response time means the SPD will engage sooner after a surge occurs, which can be beneficial in high-speed digital systems.
Standards Compliance
Always SPDs tested and Certified to Standards such as IEC 61643-11. Working with a provider of advanced surge protection solutions ensures compliance with international and local safety standards.
Advantages of Incorporating Type 2 SPDs in Your Protection Strategy
Type 2 SPDs can be integrated into a facility’s power architecture with tangible benefits, including:
- Increased Equipment Lifespan: Avoiding voltage overstress will mitigate premature aging or breakdown of devices.
- Reduced Downtime: Avoiding surge-induced operational pauses prevents disruption in mission-critical operations.
- Reduced Maintenance Costs: Equipment damage will be avoided, thus, repair, replacement, and labor costs will be lower.
- Enhanced Power Quality: SPDs stabilize power, which enhances system performance and energy efficiency.
- Compliance and Insurances: Many insurers and regulatory authorities require surge protection as standard.
Furthermore, the increasing installation of renewable energy systems and EV chargers is rapidly increasing the need for advanced surge protection. Properly positioning your business with the correct Type 2 SPD will set you ahead of future regulatory and technological changes.
Conclusion
Like any other device for protection strategy, a Type 2 SPD plays a vital role in an electrical protection strategy. It is an essential device for modern industrial and commercial systems as a Type 2 SPD protects against higher overvoltages in the distribution panels. It is an asset as a Type 2 SPD gives mid-level protection for reliable smart systems and infrastructure in a factory or huge data center to ensure the mid-level protection for reliability and for the longevity of equipment.
With a type 2 SPD integrated in your advanced surge protection solutions, your business is able to defend against surges on multi-levels from internal switching to grid disturbances. It will aid in achieving more free time from equipment, reduced repairing, and overall create fewer functional downtimes.
Having the right use of the device for the specific environment, system, and standard is key to your business. Always look for a trusted provider of advanced surge protection solutions to ensure the needed device is picked. In today’s electrical world, the right prevention is the only and one way to protect your business.
