Hager SPD (SBP015N) showing red

[dave_104]

Hi

Yesterday we had a brief power cut for a few seconds. Apart from finding I was now the lucky owner of two dead computer monitors, on inspection of everything else I see that the Hager SPD's in my CU are showing red on the indicator panels. Hager say they are "end of life" - so does that mean just ONE power surge and these things need replacing? The SPD is only about 8 months old!

There's 2 modules and I presume SPB015n refers to the replaceable module not the complete kit? Seems though that the replaceable modules are about £100 each (I have two of them) whereas the kit which includes those modules is about £35. I saw the modules on ebay for about £16 but think I'll wisely avoid that as you don't know if someone has fiddled with them.

Should these things last more than one surge or was I really unlucky to have a major surge that wiped them out? The CU lid needs removing for replacement, but can this be done with the circuits still live?

Thanks
Dave

 

[Colin Brenton]

Can you post a picture of the board, showing the devices in question?

I'm surprised that there would be two SPDs in the one consumer unit, that seems odd.

To answer your other question, yes, definitely avoid the cheap Ebay fakes, but you would need to switch the main switch off before fitting the new ones (or the individual MCB, if it has one)

 

[flameport]

Should these things last more than one surge

Yes, and they do.

was I really unlucky to have a major surge that wiped them out?

Exactly.

but can this be done with the circuits still live?

NO - the whole lot must be switched off before any work is done or the cover is removed.

Seems though that the replaceable modules are about £100 each (I have two of them) whereas the kit which includes those modules is about £35.

Hager pricing makes no sense to anyone.
Another example being that a single RCD is the same price as a consumer unit containing two of them and a main switch.

 

[morqthana]

Hager pricing makes no sense to anyone.

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[dave_104]

Hi all
Thanks for the replies. I was a bit wrong with dates - the SPD was fitted in Nov-2022, but still is less than 3 years old.

The supply type is TN-C-S therefore one of the modules would be redundant as it's shorted by the E-N link at the service head. So really if that 2nd module is red then it's got to be indicating end of service life, and likewise the same probably applies to the first module too. Perhaps the power blip that blew my monitors was a coincidence (they were on a different supply not protected by SPD).

I've asked Hager what the expected service life is for these devices as <3yrs seems a bit premature - and this lack of decent lifespan or the red indicator is likely something a homeowner won't even notice which leaves all their electronic gear vulnerable.

Thanks
Dave

 

[flameport]

therefore one of the modules would be redundant as it's shorted by the E-N link at the service head.

Not necessarily - what if any effects may occur depends on the length of the conductors between the service head and the SPD.

 

[plugwash]

Afaict what the red window *actually* means is that the thermal protection in the surge protector has triggered and disconnected the surge protection element from the electricity system.

Surge protectors are designed to absorb short surges, but there is a limit to what they can absorb. If there is too much overvoltage energy then they will overheat and destroy themselves.

To me this seems like a fundamental design flaw, when faced with a surge too large for the surge protector to handle the surge protector will disconnect itself, but will leave the load connected.

Why both poles have triggered despite one being essentially shorted by the N-E link is a good question. One IMO likely possibility is that heat was able to pass from one side to the other, causing both sides to disconnect even though only one was producing heat. Another is that currents can flow in strange ways during high current surge events.

 

[Risteard]

Hager SPDs display light red for fine and dark red for needing replacement, so really it depends what you mean by it displaying red in the indicator window.

I'm surprised no-one else has pointed this out to you.

 

[dave_104]

I've read this since and mine show a frosted red appearance, so I presume they're ok?

From what else I read, the older units used to have a green/red indication but the newer ones just have red coming forward to the front of the window. Isn't it great to know the safety of all my electronic gear relies on how much red the indicator flags are!

I've asked Hager the expected lifespan of these and had no reply yet, as the red indication I believe is also to show end of service life. I'll ask the supplier as they'll probably have more clout with getting a response from Hager.

 

[flameport]

I've asked Hager the expected lifespan of these and had no reply yet,

There can be no answer to that as it depends entirely on how many and the magnitude of transient events that they are exposed to.
One could last for decades.
Another could be destroyed on the day it's installed.