The surge arrester is one of the most widely known high voltage devices used for network protection.
Description of fixture
To begin with, it is worth explaining why, in principle, impulse overvoltages occur and why they are dangerous. The reason for the appearance of this process is a violation in the atmospheric or switching process. Such defects are quite capable of causing great damage to the electrical equipment that will be affected.
Here it is worth giving an example on a lightning rod. This device does an excellent job of diverting a strong discharge hitting an object, but it will not be able to help in any way if the discharge enters the network through overhead lines. If this happens, then the very first conductor that gets in the way of such a discharge will fail, and can also cause damage to other electrical equipment that is connected to the same electrical network. Elementary protection - turning off all devices during a thunderstorm, but in some cases this is impossible, and therefore devices such as limiters were inventedsurge arrester.
What will the use of the device give
If we talk about conventional means of protection, then their design is somewhat worse than that of surge arresters. In the usual version, carborundum resistors are installed. An additional design is the spark gaps, which are connected in series.
In surge arresters, there are elements such as non-linear transistors. The basis for these elements was zinc oxide. There are several such parts, and they are all combined into one column, which is placed in a special case made of a material such as porcelain or polymer. This ensures completely safe use of such devices, and also reliably protects them from any external influences.
It is important to note here that the main feature of the surge suppressor is the design of zinc oxide resistors. This design allows you to greatly expand the functions that the device can perform.
Technical parameters
Like any other device, the surge arrester has a basic characteristic that determines its performance and quality. In this case, such an indicator was the value of the operating voltage, which can be supplied to the terminals of the device without any time limit.
There is one more characteristic - conduction current. This is the value of the current that passes through the device under the influence of voltage. This indicator can be measured only in conditions of actual use of the device. The main numerical indicators of this parameter are capacity and activity. The total indicator of this characteristic can reach several hundred microamperes. Based on the obtained value of this characteristic, the performance of the surge arrester is evaluated.
Description of arrester device
In order to manufacture this device, manufacturers use the same electrical engineering and design methods that are used in the manufacture of other products. This is most noticeable when looking at the dimensions and materials used to make the case. Appearance also has some similarities with other devices. However, it is worth noting that special attention is given to such things as the installation of a surge suppressor, as well as its further connection to general consumer-type electrical installations.
There are several requirements that apply specifically to this class of devices. The body of the surge arrester must be completely protected from direct human contact. The risk that the device catches fire due to possible overloads must be completely eliminated. If the element fails, then this should not lead to a short circuit in the line.
Appointment and application of arresters
The main purpose of non-linear surge arresters is to protect the insulation of electrical equipment from atmospheric orswitching surges. This device belongs to the group of high-voltage devices.
In these devices there is no such section as a spark gap. If we compare the range of the surge arrester and a conventional valve arrester, then the arrester is able to withstand deeper voltage drops. The main task of this device is to withstand these loads without time limit. Another significant difference between a surge arrester and a conventional valve is that the dimensions, as well as the physical weight of the structure, are much lower in this case. The presence of such an element as a cover made of porcelain or polymers has led to the fact that the inside of the device is reliably protected from external environmental influences.
OPN-10
The device of this device is somewhat different from a conventional surge arrester. In this embodiment, a column of varistors is used, which are enclosed in a tire. To create a tire, in this case, not porcelain or polymers are used, but a fiberglass pipe, on which a shell of tracking-resistant silicone rubber is pressed. In addition, the column of varistors has aluminum leads, which are pressed on both sides, and also screwed into the pipe.
Surge arrester OPN-10 belongs to the polymer group of devices. The main task of this device is the protection of electrical equipment of switchgears. Also used to protect networks are elements with classes of 150 kV, with isolated or compensated neutral. You can use these devices outdoors in temperate and cold zones. Operating temperature range from minus 60 to plus 60 degrees Celsius. It is possible to carry out installation work, as well as further operation of the equipment, only in accordance with the safety regulations.
Surge arrester OPS1
Series of surge voltage limiters OPS1 is also used for protection against lightning or switching surges. Such a device is installed at the point of input of electrical energy to the object. It can also be mounted on the input of the main switchboard of the facility.
There are several protection classes. Class B units are used to protect the electrical network from overvoltage after a direct lightning strike. Installation location - at the entrance to the building, before the ASP.
Class C - specializes in the protection of electrical equipment directly from processes such as residual atmospheric and switching effects. The installation location of the limiter is local switchboards.
