One day, I received a call from a customer whose PC was randomly freezing and restarting. After discussing the symptoms, I suspected a surge-related problem. However, the customer was not familiar with the term “surge.”

A surge is a sudden increase in voltage that can enter an electrical system. Lightning strikes are a common cause, but surges can also be created by large motors, switching equipment, power grid disturbances, or other unexpected electrical events.

Just as we cannot prevent lightning from occurring, we cannot completely prevent surges from being generated. What we can do is protect our equipment from the damage they cause.

This is where a Surge Protection Device (SPD) comes in. An SPD is designed to divert excessive surge energy away from sensitive equipment and safely direct it to ground before damage occurs.

SPDs are typically installed at the power entry point of a control panel, machine, or building. When a surge arrives, the SPD acts like a safety valve, providing a low-resistance path that helps keep the surge away from the equipment being protected.

Proper grounding is essential. Without a good ground connection, the SPD has nowhere to safely redirect the surge energy. In many ways, an SPD performs a role similar to a lightning protection system for your electrical equipment.

While no protection device can guarantee complete immunity from every electrical event, a properly installed SPD can greatly reduce the risk of costly equipment damage and unexpected downtime.

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