Overvoltage surge in low voltage consumer equipment

Abstract

These papers present the study on the effects of Overvoltage Surges in low voltage consumer equipment by the use of PSCAD software simulation. In this approach, the combination of Shock Protection Devices installed at different locations will result in ascertaining the most suitable numbers and appropriate locations of SPDs to be installed in the safe protection zone away from the surge origin. Overvoltage Surges can neither be destroyed nor be prevented. Also commonly known as Transient Overvoltage, it is a type of electrical overstress that is conducted on wires which brings damage to electrical equipment especially on low voltage consumer equipment such as computers, modems, electronic devices and even electric motors. In the absence of protective devices that could limit the voltage, magnitude of the peak surge is usually at least twice the normal system voltage. In order to protect the low voltage electrical installations and equipment, this project is being carried out to study the effectiveness of Surge Protective Devices installed at various locations from the load. The locations are 0 metres, 100 metres, 200 metres, 300 metres and 400 metres away from the distribution transformer. The essential criteria in protecting the equipment during surge is the suitable locations of the SPDs besides the optimum quantity to be introduced for protecting the Low Voltage Consumer equipment. Thus, proper selection of the locations and numbers of SPDs must be really put into consideration. Simulation and experimental results are presented demonstrated that SPDs are also essential to protect low voltage consumer segment of electrical distribution system although presently they were in existence in the high voltage installations to improve power quality.