The Chronicles of Surgio: Tales From the Code
Volume 1
Introduction to the NEC and Surge Protection
In a world wired for power, the National Electrical Code (NEC) stands between safety and chaos. The NEC is reviewed and refined every three years by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Those who fail to adhere to these long-established best practices for safety could be held negligent, or worse.
Meet Surgio, Eaton's Surge Protection Device (SPD). SPDs are behind-the-scenes superheroes in facilities with industrial control panels, machinery, and even data centers.
Surgio's declaration: "I will purge the surge!"
Next, learn how SPDs bring calm to chaos.
SPDs in Industrial Control Panels
Scene: A busy manufacturing facility. Robotic equipment twists and whirls in automated processes.
Behind every robotics station is the true brains of the operation: the Industrial Control Panel.
Industrial Control Panels are defined in Article 100 of the NEC as:
- Power circuit components only, such as motor controllers, overload relays, fused disconnect switches, and circuit breakers.
- Control circuit components only, such as push buttons, pilot lights, selector switches, timers, switches, and control relays.
- A combination of power and control circuit components.
NEC 2023, Article 409.70 states: "Safety circuits for personnel protection that are subject to damage from surge events shall have surge protection installed within or immediately adjacent to the control panel."
Eaton's interpretation is that "safety circuits for personnel protection" is a vast concept. An industrial panel with indicating lights is considered a safety circuit for the safe operation of the equipment. Therefore, Eaton believes that ALL industrial panels need protection.
Protecting Machinery and Operator Safety
Surge events can wreak serious havoc on unprotected machinery: disruption, damage, destroyed equipment – and it's lights out!
A wizard character laments: "Curses! My Arcus Interruptus spell is not working."
Sentinel of Safety: It's a simple solution! NEC 2017 Article 670.6 addresses equipment with safety interlock circuits: "Industrial machinery with safety interlock circuits shall have surge protection installed."
Operator safety is the most critical mission in any facility. SPDs help ensure the reliability of interlock systems to prevent potential accidents and injuries.
The NFPA found that 27% of safety interlocking mechanisms on machinery were defective due to surge activity. SPDs restore peace of mind.
SPDs in Data Centers
Welcome to the world of data centers, where every byte counts and uptime is king! Power surges lurk in the shadows, ready to strike your precious equipment and wipe out your data.
NEC Article 645.18 states: "Surge protection is required for critical-operations data systems, defined as 'information technology equipment systems that require continuous operation for reasons of public safety, emergency management, national security, or business continuity.'"
Defender of Data:
- An NFPA survey found nearly half (48%) of respondents noted their facility had experienced unexplained process interruptions.
- More than a third of respondents (38%) noted the occurrence of lockups of computer or industrial process systems.
Surgio declares: "Voltage spike neutralized!"
Deploying SPDs in your factory, warehouse, or data center is a no-brainer. So gear up and let them save the day!
Learn more at EATON.COM/SPD.
