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DIGITAL SOLUTIONS

Lightning and Transient Protectors

The SURGE Series of transient protectors consist of multi-stage devices which include three terminal gas discharge tubes, thyristor crowbar devices, and coordinating resistors. They are typically used in areas that are prone to lightning storms to protect damage to sensors and data loggers.

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Overview

Wiring, particularly long horizontal wiring, can convert transient electrical fields to destructive voltages at sensors and data logger terminals. Transient protection equipment can be used to divert these transients to ground, increasing installed system reliability.

The SURGE Series of transient protectors are capable of protecting against high-speed (100 volts per microsecond) transients of up to 20,000 amps, letting only 77 volts through before clamping to 4 volts. The protector is housed in a NEMA-4X enclosure or in a compact T35 DIN-rail housing with screw-terminal input/output and ground connection through the DIN rail, simplifying connections, and facilitating good signal practices: i.e. labeling, shielding, and routing outside cables away from protected lines.

In normal operation, the protector appears as a low resistor in series with each wire, typically having no effect on operation. During a transient, the 4 signal lines and up to 2 shield lines are clamped to ground. Once the transient is over, the device self-resets, allowing normal operation to resume. The protector is suitable for use with most devices, including vibrating wire sensors, data loggers, 4-20 mA transmitters, and other DC-powered sensors.

Product Features

  • Low resistant in dormant state
  • DIN-rail or NEMA-4X closure
  • Compact, user-friendly design
  • Protects against high speed (100V per microsecond) transients of up to 20.000 amps
  • Self-resets for uninterrupted operation after transient has been completed

Benefits

Data insights

Data insights

Ease of use

Ease of use

Improve safety

Improve safety

Features and benefits

SURGE Series: Lightning and Transient Protector Specifications

ItemSpecification
Conductors ProtectedSURGE 4D: 4+2 shields
SURGE 4N: 4+1 shield
SURGE 16N: 16+4 shield
Maximum transient current per line (1 event, 8/20 µs)20,000 Amps
Minimum conduction threshold voltage58 Volts
Peak pass-through voltage (common or normal mode)77 Volts
Output clamp voltage4 Volts
Series resistance per line1.6 Ohms
Maximum leakage current5 Microamps
Hold current150 Milliamps
Maximum AC current (1 line cycle)30 Amps RMS
Maximum continuous current2 Amps

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Contact an expert

Whether you need support, want to request a quote or simply want to learn more, reach out to our Geosolutions team. We’re here to help.