Today’s transportation world is becoming intolerant to surges. As sensitive micro-electronics are added to our intersections, roadways, and modes of transportation, our Traffic Systems are not immune. The most effective way to prevent the damaging effects of surges to electric equipment is to install Surge Protective Devices (SPDs).

We have products to fit every traffic application from low voltage RS-223 protocol for individual equipment protection to the power entry inside a traffic cabinet. These products include SPDee, SPDee DC, XCS, XDS, Low Voltage DIN Rail, and BNC among others.

The below article snippet is an example and reminder that surge protection is crucial across technology fields, not just for your home television.

"Railroads rely on lightning protection equipment to protect increasingly sensitive wayside electronics"

November 2012 | By Angela Cotey, Progressive Railroading

Railroad officials know all too well the havoc that Mother Nature can wreak on their systems. Floods, hurricanes, blizzards and tornadoes cause damage to rail infrastructure that is costly and time consuming to repair.

Lightning strikes can do a number on wayside assets, too. And these days, railroads are using more microprocessor-based equipment that’s more sensitive to lightning strikes — and more expensive to replace.

“The old relay systems could take a pretty good hit without any big issues,” says Tom Ulrich, president and chief executive officer of Arthur N. Ulrich Co.

Not so for today’s microprocessor-based equipment, which isn’t nearly as surge resistant. That’s why some rail suppliers are taking steps to make their wayside equipment more robust so it’s better able to sustain a hit. Meanwhile, companies that offer lightning protection equipment have taken steps to create systems that are as sophisticated as the equipment they’re defending. Because once lightning strikes, the difference between a poorly protected and well-protected system can mean the difference between trains continuing to operate or being stopped due to equipment failure.

“Wayside equipment has become more mission-critical to railroads as they employ more electronic equipment,” says Rob Eberly, worldwide manager for transit for lightning protection equipment supplier ERICO International Corp. “And, railroads are looking for more electronically sustainable locations in relationship to classification yards, bridges, communication sites and, now, positive train control.”

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APT has the most complete line of Low Voltage SPDs in the industry, with over 70,000 SKUs, used in applications such as Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Data/Communications and much more. Our products are UL Labeled and have the UL Certification, which we believe in the best and most rigorous NRTL certification in the industry. In 2007, APT’s growth strategy expanded from its base in the US Construction Market and began to focus on Alternative Energy, Oil & Gas, OEM and International Markets. APT has developed key relationships and a number of new products that will drive growth in these new markets for years to come.

Visit our website to learn more about our products.

Voltage Surge Protector is an older term primarily used within Europe and Asia to describe plug-in or low voltage surge protectors. In some cases this term is used to describe hard-wired surge protectors. The usage of “Voltage Surge Protector” as well as “Power Surge Protector” is most commonly shortened to surge protector. Other widely used terms for surge protectors are Secondary Surge Arrestors, lightning arrestors, and Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors (TVSS). 

When UL 1449 3rd Edition went into effect, the safety regulation of Secondary Surge Arrestors and Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors (TVSS) were merged for electrical systems rated under 1000 volts. To avoid widespread industry confusion, the nomenclatures for both classes of surge protectors were changed to coincide with the US National Electrical Code (NEC) and international standards’ term Surge Protective Devices (SPDs). UL subdivided SPDs using ‘Type’ designations in order to distinguish the devices application. For example, hard-wired SPDs designated as ‘Type 1’ SPDs can be installed on the line or load side of the main overcurrent protection (OCP).

APT designs and manufactures hardwired Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) that meet all applicable codes and standards for commercial, industrial, residential, DC, solar/photovoltaic and medium voltage applications. Contact us today to discuss your application and for more information on our surge protection products.