In the modern society that is characterized by technological advancement, it is more critical to ensure that your electronic units are protected against unexpected incidents of surging electrical systems. A type 1 surge protective device can be the first point of attack in protecting against lightning strikes damage or power grid effects. However, more than their technical specifications, what actually makes their value live is the real-life accounts of how these gadgets have saved residential premises, commercial establishments, and vital infrastructure against calamity.
In this publication we shall discuss a few real life incidents when type 1 surge protective devices were indeed the savior- the importance of making the right choice in the best surge protector brands indeed comes out. The following individual accounts should examine how a lack or presence of the appropriate surge protection truly affects a homeowner or facility manager, regardless of whether they are one or the other.
Power Plant Eliminates Expensive Outage
In a medium size hydroelectric power plant located in the Pacific Northwest, the engineers have completed a surge protective device (type 1) installation at the main distribution panel, as the facility experienced frequent electric disturbances. It was a stormy summer night when a transformer very close to them was struck with a mighty lightning. The surge protection we have would have prevented this type of event which might have fried their control systems and disabled power generation for many hours, and even days. This improved surge was safely redirected to the ground by the SPD and the facility had zero damages. The electrical supervisor of the plant says that this installation had paid off itself in only one case. He stressed on the need to invest in protection using the best brands of surge protectors since not all of these SPDs are designed to withstand such harsh environments.
During the Storm Season Home Protected
Sitting down in the office is established as the new standard for most practitioners, so it is all the more vital to secure the equipment of the home office. A graphic designer from Florida got the lesson the hard way when a thunderstorm deprived her neighbor of all his electronics. Luckily, she had just had a whole house type 1 surge protective device suggested to her by her electrician. The same storm that had placed a huge voltage surge on the most local grid left her computers, router, and even her smart thermostat untouched by the surge. She invested in some of the finest surge protection products that saved her the trouble of losing her work and dealing with the cost of replacing equipment.
Resilience: Data Centers and Manufacturing Plants
Thousands of network products and servers are hosted within an important data facility in Texas run by a multinational firm. The IT team installed several type 1 surge protective devices at the service entrance and backup generator as the team upgraded its infrastructure. In similar events that occurred only a few months prior to this incident, an ice storm, which happens very rarely, resulted in a number of voltage spikes in the power grid. With the SPD protections newly installed, their data center had no downtimes, and the sensitive hardware was not spoiled. Their risk management later estimated that this coverage saved over 200,000 in possible losses, preferably as a direct consequence of having made the right choice of using industry grade products by top surge protector companies.
Along the same line, an American company that is a major producer of automotive parts in Ohio had its automated assembly line malfunctioning time and again due to surge. Having realized the voltage spikes due to nearby industrial equipment and lightning activities as the perpetrator they had installed the type 1 surge protective device around some important power entries. Just a couple of weeks later, a lightning storm swept through the region and other nearby facilities lost power and got damaged, but this plant did not stop working. The company attributed the avoidance of thousands of dollars in downtimes and maintenance of their delivery schedules to their decision of purchasing protection against the best surge protector brands.
Hospital Maintains Life Saving Equipment
Hospitals depend on constant power supply in terms of life support, refrigeration of medicine, and so on. Lightning struck a high-voltage line running to the power system of a hospital at a Midwestern medical center. Fortunately they had fitted in a very good type 1 surge protective device in their main switchgear following a previous near miss accident. The SPD again held the overload and ground-ed off the excess energy this time without damaging any vital equipment. Medical personnel could carry on with work without indicating anything. The credit of the investment in the products of one of the best brands of surge protectors was given by the electrical engineer of the hospital later who admitted that it definitely kept our systems up and running as well as our lives safe.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Brand
As these tales indicate, the distinction between a big loss and the continuous operation of your business can usually rely upon the value of your surge protection. The type 1 surge protective device is used to protect against high energy surge directly occurring/originating outside the installation e.g. lightning or utility grid effects. Nevertheless, not every SPD is the same. Brands of the best surge protectors have a high chance of going through strict safety and performance checks, warranties and customer service in case they are required. Questions to consider when choosing a surge protector include UL 1449 safety standard, low clamping voltage, good warranty and brand reputation. It is often suggested to use such brands as Siemens, Eaton, Square D by Schneider Electric, and Leviton, whether at home or at work. Between safeguarding your life and protecting your sanity, it makes sense to make an investment in one of the top-quality surge protector brands.
Power surges may occur without any prior warning and damage the organization to a considerable extent financially and in terms of its operations. It can be discussed that at home, hospital, factory, or data center, the task of a type 1 surge protective device to protect critical infrastructure can hardly be overestimated. Real life situations described above prove that it is not only clever to make the correct decision with regard to surge protection, it is a necessity. Do not wait to be hit by a disaster. Do your homework and ensure that you settle on the finest brands of surge protectors that will guarantee your safeguards. Since at least, in some instances, one properly placed gadget makes all the difference in the world.
