I would like to share a problem I face when I have to install a surge protection device type 1 in high power electrical switchboard. I already asked this question on another blog, and I’m trying to get more feedbacks from electrical engineers.

The situation is very “unconfortable” for me as a quality provider, because if a short-circuit of high value happens, though luckily probability is low, it would mean very serious safety risks …

I am the manager of a panel building company, and we receive more and more specifications requiring us to install surge protection devices type 1: they are requested for industrial sites (chemical, water station, also airport …) where they always install a lightning protection system (lightning rod, mesh cage).

The specifications I receive are not very detailed about the choice of surge protector to install, and I found out that surge protection devices available on the market cannot be connected directly to high power busbar: they cannot withstand short-circuit level higher than 50kA, but I regularly have specifications for switchboards of 70kA or more.

The photo below is an example of surge protection device (in the circle) connected to high short-circuit level busbars.

How to solve this problem?

Is there a way to reduce the short-circuit level to be compatible with the limitations of the surge protection device?

Or wouldn’t it be better to have surge protection devices with higher short-circuit level available on the market?

Thanks for your opinion

Boby