Page 18 - IEC Insights Sept-Oct21

FEATURE

lowest. When respondents answered what said they planned on installing it in the Many facility professionals mentioned
circumstances are not protected by SPDs, future. Unexpected downtime is common, maintaining system reliability during
sustained overvoltage received the most with over 72% of facilities surveyed lightning strikes or grid anomalies, while
responses (19%), while overload caused experiencing downtime more than a few several noted that the absence of visible
by operating equipment above full-load times a year. Equipment recently placed evidence of surge activity suggested
rating received the least responses (14%). in service received the most damage from the successful operation of SPDs. The
power surges that resulted in failure, with installation of SPDs was viewed as a
Respondent’s knowledge of power 78% of failed equipment having been in success by most respondents, as 79%
surge mitigation revealed common service for five years or less. Downtimes estimated that downtime and equipment
misconceptions about what technologies were typically brief, lasting one hour or failure was reduced significantly or
provide surge protection. While 38% less, according to 65% of respondents. completely. Of the 163 respondents who
correctly identified SPDs, the majority Power surges were the third-most reported equipment failure after warranty
incorrectly selected technologies not commonly cited cause of unplanned expiration, most failures (85%) happened
designed to mitigate the damaging effects outages (14%), following human error (21%) within five or fewer years of the expiration
of power surges. The responses included and accidents (18%). The median annual date. Although 16% of respondents had
fuses and breakers (17%), GFCIs (14%), cost of downtime reported was $5,000. never performed a resistance reading on
consumer-grade UPS (9%), and typical their facility’s grounding systems or were
power strips (8%). The only devices that Of the 205 facility professionals who not sure when one was last conducted,
protect against power surges are SPDs. experienced unexpected downtime, 49% nearly 71% had done so within the last 12
The location of where facility professionals reported a power surge had caused such an months. NEMA points out that the National
had SPDs installed also varied. They interruption within the last 12 months. The Electric Code prescribes grounding and
were closely distributed between service most recent power surge-caused downtime bonding requirements in Article 250,
entrances (28%), downstream distribution reported by respondents resulted in being and the applicable field measurement
panels with electrical or electronic offline for between 30 and 60 minutes for standard of grounding systems is IEEE
equipment (26%), backup or alternative 42%, and 90% of incidents lasted for one 81-Guide for Measuring Earth Resistivity,
power systems (24%), and voltage and a half hours or less. Of those whose Ground Impedance, and Earth Surface
transformation within equipment (20%). facilities experienced unplanned downtime, Potentials of a Grounding System.
49% indicated a power surge had taken
Forty percent of respondents indicated operations offline within the last 12 months, The key findings of the survey results
their facilities had surge protection with most of those outages (68%) lasting outlined above demonstrate the need to
technology for one to five years, and an one hour or less. protect an industrial facility from power
additional 39% had surge protection for surges by installing SPDs. Damages
six or more years. Twenty-three percent Power surges resulted in equipment restart caused by power surges are a leading
of respondents indicated they purchased or misoperation for 57% of respondents, cause of electrical equipment failure and
SPDs after experiencing a surge event, with slightly fewer facility operators can be experienced in a single event or
while 27% purchased during building reporting power outages or equipment as the result of an accumulation of power
or specification, and 23% purchased failure (53%) because of such incidents. surges. SPDs protect against downtime,
during renovation. A majority of facility For 63% of respondents, the most recent improve system and data reliability, and
professionals reported having SPDs power surge at their facilities occurred reduce electrical failures. Installing these
inspected or tested monthly (54%), while quite recently, no more than three months devices will protect against electrical
94% of those who tested their SPDs prior to responding to the survey. However, failures to maintain the reliability and
did so as part of routine maintenance. most facilities experienced power surges operation of electrical equipment. For
More respondents chose to install surge relatively infrequently, as 59% reported more information on power surges and
protection to protect previously installed power surges happening a few times a year, surge protective devices, visit ESFI.org
equipment (39%) and as part of a once every year or two. Power fluctuations and NEMASurge.org.
renovation project (24%) than to protect on the grid were the most commonly
recently installed equipment (20%). mentioned cause of facility power surges
(27%), followed closely by faulty wiring and Brianne Deerwester is the Communications
Among the handful of respondents who or connections (25%) and lightning (22%). Coordinator for the Electrical Safety
do not currently have surge protection On average, facility professionals indicated Foundation International. She
installed, 62% said that it has been that 60% of power surges affecting their handles all traditional and social
recommended for their facilities, while 23% facilities resulted from outside factors. media, promoting electrical safety
at home and in the workplace.

16 Insights Magazine | September/October 2021 | www.ieci.org