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Post Info TOPIC: Surge Protectors
Jeff-2025


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Surge Protectors
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I've been reading/viewing some articles from the USA, Europe and UK where people have pulled into a caravan park and plugged in.

In some instance the electrics of the van were fried other reported that the van had burnt down (admittedly not a frequent occurrence).

What are ppls advice for surge protectors (from park power outlet to your power cable)

  1. not necessary as Ozzie standards have these measures built in
  2. talk with the van manufacturer and make the decision as to whether or not one is required
  3. purchase only anyway - can never be to safe

 



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dorian


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What sort of protection devices are these other sites recommending? In fact, I can't see how any of the typical devices could protect against a sustained overvoltage unless it results in an over-current fault. To do it properly, you would need to have a high current relay with upper and lower supply voltage limits.

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Jeff-2025


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dorian wrote:

What sort of protection devices are these other sites recommending? In fact, I can't see how any of the typical devices could protect against a sustained overvoltage unless it results in an over-current fault. To do it properly, you would need to have a high current relay with upper and lower supply voltage limits.

 One of the many surge protectors I'm lookin at:

https://www.mygenerator.com.au/product/ampfibian-s1000dx-15a-weatherproof-surge-protector-pack-with-circuit-tester



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dorian


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That device tells you whether the power outlet is wired correctly, although it can't detect neutral-earth reversal. You still need a multimeter to measure the actual voltage.

A surge protector can only absorb a relatively tiny amount of energy for only a short time. They seem to be typically rated at 1000 joules.

    240V x 40A x 100 millisec = 960 joules

    240V x 400A x 10 millisec = 960 joules

They are good for absorbing those switch-on spikes which are typically responsible for pops and clicks.They do this via metal oxide varistors (MOVs). These are small disc shaped components, typically 14mm or 20mm in diameter, usually rated for 275VAC. In the presence of a sustained overvoltage these will explode, hopefully taking out the thermal fuse or glass fuse.

The other components are chokes and capacitors. These filter out high frequency electromagnetic interference (EMI).

This is a commercial product, but the explanation is sound:

https://tripplite.eaton.com/products/power-surge-protectors-explained

 

 



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