Surge protection

[Agrifool]

Hi has anyone added surge protection to their network? Ive got 3 phase and wondering what is the best way to add surge protection, 3 seperate surge protectors one on each phase or a 1 unit designed for 3 phase.
If the surge protector does blow is it lights out or does everything work as normal but just no further protection?
Any tips greatly appreciated.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Hi has anyone added surge protection to their network? Ive got 3 phase and wondering what is the best way to add surge protection, 3 seperate surge protectors one on each phase or a 1 unit designed for 3 phase.
If the surge protector does blow is it lights out or does everything work as normal but just no further protection?
Any tips greatly appreciated.

In the process of getting a Type 1, 2 and 3 combined surge protection unit fitted. This protects across all 3-phases.

My commercial spark has made the recommendation after we had a pretty serious local strike in late July which took out a lot of gear here and has taken weeks and thousands to get back/right.

I’m speaking to a lightning protection company early next week to see what else can sensibly be done as I don’t want a repeat (widespread equipment damage, rather than another strike!) if at all possible.

Our incident included a fault over the structured data cabling as well as the electrical system. So need to look into that, as the damage there was spread to a lot of connected gear. I would also look at protecting your incoming copper BT phone line(s) if you have them.

Apparently East Anglia is a lighting strike hotspot of the UK

 

[Pan mixer]

I have a single piece surge protector that does all 3 phases.

We are on top of what passes for a hill in Essex, have solar panels and a lot of things that like electricity.

I thought that it was a good investment a few years ago and still do although I had forgotten about it until this point - probably the best accolade.

 

[Agrifool]

In the process of getting a Type 1, 2 and 3 combined surge protection unit fitted. This protects across all 3-phases.

My commercial spark has made the recommendation after we had a pretty serious local strike in late July which took out a lot of gear here and has taken weeks and thousands to get back/right.

I’m speaking to a lightning protection company early next week to see what else can sensibly be done as I don’t want a repeat (widespread equipment damage, rather than another strike!) if at all possible.

Our incident included a fault over the structured data cabling as well as the electrical system. So need to look into that, as the damage there was spread to a lot of connected gear. I would also look at protecting your incoming copper BT phone line(s) if you have them.

Apparently East Anglia is a lighting strike hotspot of the UK

If you get any useful info from the lightning company id be gratful of the feedback.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

If you get any useful info from the lightning company id be gratful of the feedback.

This is a spec sheet of the surge protection unit the spark was originally going to fit. Its a Type 2 / 3.

However if we go for (additional) external earthing and lightning protection (we are currently on a PME feed) then my understanding is that we will need to use a combined Type 1 / 2 / 3 surge protector rather than the Type 2 / 3 as originally planned.

 

[Exfarmer]

This is a spec sheet of the surge protection unit the spark was originally going to fit. Its a Type 2 / 3.

However if we go for (additional) external earthing and lightning protection (we are currently on a PME feed) then my understanding is that we will need to use a combined Type 1 / 2 / 3 surge protector rather than the Type 2 / 3 as originally planned.

being not too technical and I know you understand these things, could you give me rough ideas of the cost for supplies of 100kva and 500kva.
We had a bad strike in the summer which knocked out inverters etc. luckily ours are modular and the total damage was not that great but labour and lost production soon adds up

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

being not too technical and I know you understand these things, could you give me rough ideas of the cost for supplies of 100kva and 500kva.
We had a bad strike in the summer which knocked out inverters etc. luckily ours are modular and the total damage was not that great but labour and lost production soon adds up

That’s a reasonably small protector in terms of load, as it’s only for the house and workshop supply (63 Amp).

Quote to install the above Type 2/3 surge unit from my spark was as £314 labour and materials ex VAT including a new MCB to facilitate install into the existing board.

As said if additional external earthing / lightning protection installed then the surge unit needs to be Type 1, 2 & 3 capable.

I don’t have a price to supply and install one of those....yet. Hopefully will know more later this week, once I speak to the lightning protection chaps.

 

[Exfarmer]

That’s a reasonably small protector in terms of load, as it’s only for the house and workshop supply (63 Amp).

Quote to install the above Type 2/3 surge unit from my spark was as £314 labour and materials ex VAT including a new MCB to facilitate install into the existing board.

As said if additional external earthing / lightning protection installed then the surge unit needs to be Type 1, 2 & 3 capable.

I don’t have a price to supply and install one of those....yet. Hopefully will know more later this week, once I speak to the lightning protection chaps.

much appreciate as my business is based on other peoples farms, even before I get an electrician in to survey I need to get an idea of costs

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

much appreciate as my business is based on other peoples farms, even before I get an electrician in to survey I need to get an idea of costs

Happy to help. Have you had bad strike(s) over the summer?

We had a particularly nasty strike on the eve of July 25. Took out lots of stuff. It’s the hassle factor replacing stuff that’s either outright black/totally cooked or still working but lost function.

 

[Exfarmer]

Happy to help. Have you had bad strike(s) over the summer?

We had a particularly nasty strike on the eve of July 25. Took out lots of stuff. It’s the hassle factor replacing stuff that’s either outright black/totally cooked or still working but lost function.

we had a strike in August took out a lot of motherboards and chips etc around a farm, nothing too serious but just cost of labour replacing and time wasted, as well as loss of solar production at a fairly good period. Think the strike was further up the line but impossible to prove