Thanks. I haven't really done much looking uinto this yet, but do these devices actually address a problem that needs to be addressed?Not much at all. Came across this video - I would imagine there's scope for a fairly rapid decline in cost once they become more commonplace given the minimal number of parts inside.
Thanks. That's what I suspected.Not really. Almost every electronic device that would be sensitive to transients would normally have suppression built in.
My UK supply (and the supplies of many like me) is 'overhead' (for many miles) - and, of course, the highest voltage distribution (I would think in most/all countries) is all 'overhead'.If you in the UK have electricity supplied by underground cables you may not have a need for "Over Voltage" protection. However, if the supply is via aerial wires and there is a possibility of lightning strikes affecting the supply, "Over Voltage Arrestors" (such as Hager SPN 040D and SPN 208S) may be a good investment.
Many of us have! However, we're talking here about a type of snake oil which regulations might well one day 'require' us all to have!I've got some snake oil if anyone's interested?
That time has already arrived - BS7671 18th edition has Chapter 44 and Annex A443 which cover about 20 pages, and a further 10 pages in Section 534.but i will indeed comply when the time comes.
Indeed - and, quite frankly, I haven't yet bothered to pay it much attention. However, am I right in saying that such devices are not yet routinely 'required', at least in normal domestic circumstances?That time has already arrived - BS7671 18th edition has Chapter 44 and Annex A443 which cover about 20 pages, and a further 10 pages in Section 534.
Thank you for your considered response.My UK supply (and the supplies of many like me) is 'overhead' (for many miles) - and, of course, the highest voltage distribution (I would think in most/all countries) is all 'overhead'.
Lighting certainly does 'affect my supply', in that lighting anywhere within miles of me will often result in one of the distributor's devices tripping, resulting in loss of power for 5-30 seconds until the device resets. However, I have never personally experienced anything electronic failing due to transients/'surges' at the time of nearby lightning - and, of course, no local devices would appreciably protect my installation from the results of a direct strike on one of my supply cables.
Some manufacturers have made a fortune out of selling 'surge suppressing' extension leads and adaptors etc., and I'm not convinced that anyone/anything other than the bank balances of the manufacturers has benefited from use of such things.
Kind Regards, John
As far as I understand the 18th edition unless you can provide a risk assessment which says the value of goods within the property likely to be damaged by an over voltage is less than the cost of an SPD then one must be fitted in domestic.Indeed - and, quite frankly, I haven't yet bothered to pay it much attention. However, am I right in saying that such devices are not yet routinely 'required', at least in normal domestic circumstances?
Kind Regards, John
The damage would ( almost certainly ) have been caused by a "surge" from the cables to the lamps with the energy of that surge going back into the controller. If the lightning was a ground strike then the voltage gradient through the ground can be several hundred volts per metre fo a few milliseconds. Any buried cables in the area will have large potentials induced onto them.When checked the next day, the control device mentioned above was found to be "non operative", although the transformer could still power the lights directly.
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local