Ideally, every electrical panel should
be surge protected. However, this
may not be practical or feasible.
Proven surge protection practices
do not have to be complicated or
costly. All you need to do is
address the following:
1- Where should hard wired
SPDs be installed on the
electrical system?
2- What size and type SPD
should be used?
Surge Protecting a Solar Farm
Service Entrance
Applying surge protection at the main utility electrical service interconnects “Stops Surges Before They Get In” to the photovoltaic (PV) modules or DC-to-AC converters.
Products
External SPD
TEXAS30E1
Increased Redundancy
TEXAS45E1
External - 10 Mode
TEXAL30E1
Increased Redundancy
TEXAL45E1
Outside Loads
SPDs should be installed at distribution panels powered from PV panels to prevent back feeding surges entering the main service interconnect.
External SPD
TEXCS104
External SPD
S50A
Lower Voltage Panels
This may require surge protection to be installed within the PV combiner box. APT surge protective devices can easily be reconfigured for DC services.
External SPD
TEXCS104
External SPD
S50A
Individual Equipment
If surge protection is applied at the previous locations, redundant protection may be warranted for sensitive, costly equipment. This may include PV controllers, power monitors, etc.
External SPD
TEXCS104
External SPD
S50A
Data Lines
Security, fire alarm, and telephone systems using copper communications lines need protection especially for communication circuits including weather or seismic stations.
External SPD
S50A
APT DIN RAIL
Graphics Courtesy of Siemens Industry, Inc