It is estimated that 75% of electronic product failures are caused by transients and surges. Voltage transients and surges are everywhere. Power grids, lightning strikes, explosions, and even people walking on carpets can generate tens of thousands of volts of electrostatic induction voltage. These are invisible and fatal killers of electronic products.
Therefore, protective measures must be taken against voltage transients and surges to improve the reliability of electronic products and the safety of the human body.
The best ways to prevent surges include the following:
● Use a surge protector:
Surge protectors can effectively absorb excessive voltage and protect network equipment from damage. Choosing the right surge protector is the first step in protection.
● Use sockets with protection:
Many sockets with surge protection on the market can effectively resist the impact of surges on household appliances.
● Avoid cable crossing:
Cable crossing creates loops, allowing surges to flow in the loop. Avoid crossing cables, especially in places prone to surges, such as near power outlets or windows.
● Check equipment regularly:
Check and maintain network equipment regularly to ensure its normal operation and detect potential problems in time.
● Take precautions during thunderstorms.
Thunderstorms are a high-incidence period for surges, and some precautions should be taken now. For example, turn off unnecessary electrical equipment, avoid using electrical appliances near water sources, try not to make phone calls or use network equipment, etc. Optimize the power system: Ensure the stability of the power supply, and use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to effectively prevent the impact of surges.
● Reasonable wiring:
When wiring, try to aoid arranging network cables in parallel with power cables to reduce the possibility of electromagnetic interference.
● Grounding and protection devices:
Use voltage transient and surge protection devices in the whole machine and system, so that voltage transients and surges are bypassed to the subsystem ground and the earth through the protection devices, thereby reducing the transient voltage and surge amplitude entering the whole machine and system.
● Multi-level protection circuit:
Several voltage transient and surge protection devices are combined for important and expensive complete machines and systems to form a multi-level protection circuit.
The above methods can effectively prevent and deal with surge problems and protect electronic equipment from damage.
Definition and harm of surge:
Surge, also known as surge, is any voltage peak that exceeds the corresponding stable voltage peak, that is, transient voltage. Surge is an abnormally large current pulse of microsecond magnitude, with a wave head time generally between 0.25 and 20 μs and unit energy generally between 2.5 and 10 MJ/Ω. Surges can interfere with electrical equipment, reduce performance, and cause premature aging or even damage to equipment.
Causes of surges
● Lightning strikes
Lightning is the main natural factor causing surges. When lightning strikes power lines or nearby buildings directly, it can cause strong current fluctuations in the power system.
● Equipment failure
When network equipment such as routers and switches fail, unstable currents may be generated, causing surges.
● Instability of the power system
Instability in the power supply, including voltage fluctuations, momentary power outages, etc., can cause surges to occur.
● Electromagnetic interference
The operation of other electrical equipment may also generate electromagnetic interference, resulting in momentary changes in current.
When do you need a surge protector?
Whether you need a surge protector depends on the device you plug in. Surge protectors help extend the life of electrical and electronic equipment, both at home and in the office.
Low-cost, easily replaceable devices do not require surge protection, such as light bulbs or fans. Because in this case, the surge protector may be more expensive than the device itself! However, when it is an expensive power-sensitive device installed on the premises, it needs to be protected from permanent damage, component failure, and frequent wear and tear.
Laptops, telecommunications equipment, medical electronic instruments, and distribution boards are all examples of voltage-sensitive devices that can be easily damaged by surges and cause power failures. Repeated surges can cause slow damage to the device and shorten its life, which is not easy to detect. Surges can shorten the life of a computer or even wipe out all data.
Conclusion
Surges pose a threat to the safety of home electrical equipment, so it is crucial to take appropriate measures to prevent surges. By installing surge protectors, using protected sockets, avoiding cable crossings, taking precautions during thunderstorms, and using reasonable wiring, grounding and protective devices, the risk of damage to home electrical equipment caused by surges can be effectively reduced.
These measures will ensure the normal operation of home appliances, extend their service life, and protect the safety of family members.
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