Rating of the best surge protection devices (SPD) for 2022

Installation of popular SPD models is carried out between grounding and supply wires. At the moment of occurrence of a sharp voltage surge, the design removes the overvoltage impulse by a sharp decrease in resistance. Due to this, there is a rapid and significant decrease in the impulse voltage, which is dangerous for electrical appliances. Installation between grounding and telecommunication lines is also possible. In addition, the SPD is lightning protection.

SPD - what is it and what is it for?

A fairly common phenomenon is the occurrence of impulse noise in the network. Similar phenomena can occur when turning off or turning on powerful appliances, as well as during bad weather. The network is an RLC circuit that regularly experiences fluctuations, which contribute to voltage spikes. In digital and low-current circuits, such defense is extremely relevant. We are talking about switching interference that easily passes through various types of power supplies.

The indicator of maximum security is possessed by "flyback converters". In them, the energy of the transformer flows to the load when the structure is disconnected from the network.

In European countries, such a fence is considered mandatory, therefore, even during the construction of a new house or apartment block, noise suppression filters, SPDs and other protection modules for power supply systems are installed. It should be noted that the quality of their networks is much higher, and there are somewhat fewer thunderstorm areas.

Such models began to enjoy particular popularity in the last 20 years, when more new high-performance transistors began to appear on the market. It is these units that are extremely sensitive to any jumps in reverse voltage indicators.Equipment with similar functionality is used in almost all switching power supplies, the power of which does not exceed 1 kVA. They are used as connecting elements on the network (primary) side.

To limit the voltage between the ground and neutral conductors, this kind of automation is also used. Low-energy interference may occur when switching from standby to neutral of the AUT. The second, at the time of the change of position, will remain "in the air", and anything can remain on it.

Why do we need

SPDs are used to smooth out interference that occurs in the network, to stabilize the operation of information systems and from surges that can be caused by indirect or direct exposure to severe weather (lightning). High-frequency and low-energy interference is not uncommon in large cities and remote communities.

What are they for:

1. Remote type short circuit protection. This happens as a result of a short circuit.
2. Protection of electricians from impulse surges. Often the reason lies in the switching processes that are observed in the network. Associated with turning off and on devices with a large load (inductive). Examples are welding and power devices, powerful electric motors.
3. Lightning strike protection. At such a moment, all the equipment that was connected to the network fails. Replacement will cost a huge amount. To avoid such expenses, the best SPDs from the best European manufacturers are installed.

The equipment has several names:

• SPE - surge voltage limiters;
• OPN - surge suppressors of the network.

However, this does not affect the principle of operation or functionality.

What are

There are several criteria for choosing such equipment, however, the main one is considered to be the compliance of the selected unit with the existing GOSTs, namely No. 51992-2011, which has a link to the international document "IEC 61643-1-2005". It describes the main types of SPDs. What to look for when buying an SPD, and what selection criteria should be considered when purchasing security equipment? We invite you to familiarize yourself with the information in the table.

Type of	Recommendations for use	Areas of use
I class	Installation is carried out in the main switchboard or ASU at the entrance to the building. Recommended for use in the arrangement of ASU industrial and administrative buildings, as well as apartment buildings and residential buildings.	Also has the designation "B". It is used as protection against lightning ingress into the system, switching and atmospheric surges. A separate device is installed for both free-standing buildings and buildings connected to overhead lines. Also, according to not only buyers, but also experts, this type of equipment is required for buildings with an installed lightning rod and structures with a high risk of indirect and direct lightning effects. The nominal indicator of the discharge current is 30-60 kA. The nominal waveform is 10/350 µs.
II class	Installation is carried out in switchboards of offices and apartments. The main function is to protect against residual impulses that have not been neutralized by a first class device.	Also has the designation "C". It is used to protect structures from the remnants of communication and atmospheric surges that have passed through the devices of the first type.The nominal indicator of the discharge current is 20-40 kA. The nominal waveform is 8/20 µs.
III class	It is used for fencing equipment that is “sensitive” to drops (laptops, refrigerators, TVs). It is often used in combination with medical equipment and IT.	Has the designation "D". It is used to protect the system from the remnants of switching and atmospheric overvoltages that have passed through the device of the second type. Place of installation - sockets, junction boxes and electrical equipment. Examples are lighting control systems and personal computers. The nominal indicator of the discharge current is 5-10 kA. The nominal waveform is 8/20 µs.

Which company is better to buy

It is worth noting that the market is full of ready-made shields, which can simultaneously include several surge protection modules described above. Classes are applied differently, depending on the company (trademark), market and target audience. The unit is mounted on the wall (in the shield), and the connection is made directly to the existing wiring.

The final cost will be reflected not only in the reliability of the design, but also in the extra charge for the "brand". Budget models belong to the category of the most common mistakes when choosing such equipment. Don't skimp on your own safety. It is better to give preference to trusted firms and branded models that have managed to receive numerous positive reviews from customers. The better the manufacturer has established itself in the market, the higher the cost of the product will be.

The manufacturer's rating is as follows:

1. ABB.
2. hakel.
3. OBO Bettermann.
4. Schneider Electric.
5. Phoenix contact.
6. Citel.
7. Dehn.

It should be noted that most manufacturers have in their assortment several SPD modules designed for low-voltage equipment. An example of the production of equipment of all classes is Schneider Electric and ABB.

Do not forget about the numerous fakes that overwhelm modern markets. In addition to the description, in the online store you should check the availability of a quality certificate and a correctly completed passport for the product. The manufacturer of quality modules in the Chinese market is exclusively TYCOTIU.

Rating of quality models I class

ABB OVR T1-3N 25-255TS

A model with excellent performance, however, it will not be possible to order it online. Such expensive equipment is made exclusively to order. Installation is carried out in the house or at the enterprise. Product size (constructive) - eight modules. For installation, you will need a lot of free space in the shield itself. TT - device configuration. Residual current suppression designation - 50 kA. For the manufacture of the case, high-strength material is used, which is not afraid of mechanical influences. He is also not afraid of high temperatures.

The average price is 66,000 rubles.

• high-quality element base;
• durable material of the outer layer;
• long warranty period;
• assembly;
• efficiency;
• reliability.

• high price.

OBO - Bettermann "MCD 50-B" 3+1

The design belongs to the category of combined, equipped with four poles. It is used in TT and TN-s networks. The kit includes everything you need for a quick installation. No auxiliary elements are required. You only need free space in the switchboard.For the manufacture of the case, a durable material is used that will not melt during the heat generated by the equipment. The current collector indicator is 125 kA for each of the available poles. How much does the unit cost? About 88 thousand rubles.

• full compliance with existing standards;
• high service life;
• multitasking;
• quality assembly;
• high efficiency.

• price.

DEHNsecure DSE M-2P 60

The structure is bipolar. It is used both in production and in residential buildings. Connection diagram - 1 + 1. The bandwidth indicator is quite high - 25 kA. The design provides for the possibility of energy coordination with devices of the second class. This aspect made it possible to achieve uninterrupted operation in the event of any emergency situation. The permissible voltage indicator is 60 V. To simplify the use of the unit, the manufacturer provides a remote alarm.

A review of the model showed that its body is made of durable materials that are not afraid of mechanical and natural influences. The equipment operates at a temperature of -40°C - +80°C. Protection class - IP-20. This allows installation in most factories and production halls. The design has passed all the necessary tests, and has the appropriate quality certificate. It should also be noted that it is resistant to strong vibrations that may occur during the use of the equipment.

It should be noted that the indisputable advantage of the model is its small size and its weight. This allows installation in the shortest possible time and with a small amount of free space.

The system for removing the modules used is considered unique, which allows you to quickly and without any interference fix or remove the element. For more comfortable operation, a light indication was provided, which allows you to monitor the status of the device. Where to buy the unit? Directly from the manufacturer. At a price, the design is more than affordable - 45,000 rubles.

• resistance to strong vibrations;
• presence of light indication;
• ease of replacement of modules during repair;
• the ability to work with second-class installations;
• bandwidth - 25 kA;
• The design is based on the use of spark gaps.

• not identified.

DKS NX-1012

Inexpensive designs used on small production lines or at home. Only high-quality materials are used for manufacturing, which are a guarantee of failure-free operation and duration of the equipment used. A distinctive feature of the novelty is that the product is made exclusively to order. Thanks to this, you should not worry about the quality of the offered product. The designation of the rated surge current is 50 kA. Thus, the model belongs to the constructions of the first class.

Before choosing this model, it should be noted that it has a compact size, so you will need a minimum of free space in the shield to install it.

Approximate cost - 9,000 rubles.

• produced exclusively on order;
• excellent build;
• possibility of installation in the house;
• efficiency;
• acceptable cost.

• mark "up to 50 kA".

Schneider Electric PRD1 Master C1 OPN-3

An excellent offer from one of the world's best manufacturers. Such a device is guaranteed to protect not only the production premises, but also a residential building. Among the numerous advantages, it should be noted the possibility of operating the device with a TN-C type grounding system. The designation of the working pressure (nominal) is 230 V. Such a device will perfectly cope with lightning. PBT is used to make the outer layer of the device. Composition of contacts of signal type 1 SD. Due to the design features, the device is easy to fix and remove. In addition, the risk that it will disconnect accidentally is minimal. Experts recommend installing just this type of protective equipment in private homes. Advice from "experts" will cost the new owner 70-75 thousand rubles.

• durability;
• practicality;
• reliability;
• efficiency;
• high build quality.

• high price;
• inability to troubleshoot on your own.

The best class II models

DEKRAFT OP101-1PN-080-B-440

A budget model that is used to protect household appliances. Mounting is carried out on a DIN rail. Takes up relatively little space (four modules). Designed for IT type systems. Rated voltage - 400 V. A guarantee is provided for the brand's products, which only confirms the reliability and quality of the product. Protective voltage indicator 2.2 kV.

The buyer will cost 4500 rubles.

• high service life;
• famous brand;
• efficiency;
• acceptable cost.

• lack of service centers.

Schneider Electric 3rd floor + N 20 kA Easy9

A great purchase from a renowned manufacturer.Installation is possible both on the territory of a private house and enterprises. With such equipment, no lightning strikes are terrible for electrical appliances. It functions with three-phase networks, where the rated voltage indicator reaches 400 V. It is worth noting that the maximum current discharge indicator will be 20 kA. Such factors favorably affect the reliability and durability of the equipment used. For convenience in subsequent use, the manufacturer provides for a light indicator on the front panel of the product. It indicates the status of the device. The indicator of the nominal reset of the impulse current is 10 kA (the indicator of time is 8/20).

Price - 9500 rubles.

• acceptable cost;
• compactness;
• high service life;
• well-known and time-tested manufacturer;
• reliability.

• not identified.

ABB OVR T2 4L 80-440s P TS QS

A fairly popular model on the market. Helps to reduce the negative impact of current discharge. A special feature is the IT configuration of the system. To increase the safety factor, the device was equipped with additional fuses that will not allow the system to fail through overloads. An optical signal is used. Mounted on a DIN rail, which is extremely convenient. There are four modules in the device, which greatly facilitates installation and helps to save free space in the shield. The nominal reset rate is 20 kA.

Cost - 25,000 rubles.

• quality assembly;
• convenient configuration;
• high level of protection;
• back-up fuse.

• price.

RIF-E-I+II 275/12.5 s (3+1)

Combined type design, which is preferable to be installed on the territory of a private house. The product is based on a replaceable varistor module. The device can withstand loads that are designed for class II and class I structures. That is why the used electrical devices will be in complete safety throughout the entire operational life of the product. It is used in combination with TT and TN-S systems. The indicator of the rated discharge current is 50 kA. The established protection class is ip20 (a universal indicator for most systems). Mounted directly on the rail. Operates at temperatures from -40°С to +80°С.

Approximate cost - 13,000 rubles.

• high service life;
• ease of installation;
• understandable design;
• high class of protection;
• the presence of a light indicator;
• the presence of a thermostat.

• missing.

The best class III models

RIF-E-III 320/3 (3+1)

The product belongs to the third class and is able to protect devices from high voltage surges. Rail mounted. Doesn't take up much space. Often installed on single-phase networks, however, there is the possibility of pairing in combination with residual current devices. Thus, it was possible to increase the efficiency of this model. Standard plastic body.

The kit will cost the buyer 3 thousand rubles.

• the possibility of combining several devices;
• durability;
• high level of security;
• reliability;
• efficiency;
• practicality.

• not identified.

Albatros SPD 220/1000 AC

The device belongs to the third class. It will take about 25 ns to trigger.The indicator of the pulsed discharge current (maximum) is 8/20 μs. Normally functions at a temperature from -40 °C to +50 °C. Can be installed outdoors. Protection class - ip65. The limiting type of equipment is designed to protect equipment from unbalanced overvoltages, residual surges and removal of current impulses in a single-phase network.

Used to protect:

1. LED lighting fixtures.
2. Garden and park lighting fixtures.
3. High mast luminaires.
4. Architectural lighting fixtures.
5. Street lighting.

The cost of the kit is 1000 rubles.

• additional protection phase-neutral, neutral-earth and phase-earth;
• wide operating range;
• fully sealed housing;
• compactness.

• short service life.

OptiDin OM-I-3+Nu-280/12.5/R

The type of supply network is three-phase. The poles used are 3P+N. Surge protection device of all classes. Dimensions: 97/70/70.5 mm. Rated voltage indicator 230 V. Impulse current 10/350 kA. Permissible current discharge (maximum and nominal) - 8/20 kA.

The cost of the product is 18 thousand rubles.

• operating range from -40°С to +70°С;
• external conductors have a front connection type;
• test class I, II and III;
• efficiency;
• there is a remote type alarm;
• durability.

• there is no residual current damping function;
• the wear indicator is also missing.

OBO Bettermann V10 Compact 385

High-quality equipment from a German concern, the installation of which is carried out directly on the rail (DIN). This helps save extra space. The construction has class II+III. Inside there is a high power varistor.Also installed dynamic and thermal protection - fuse. Has a security level - ip20.

The price of the set is 13 thousand rubles.

• protective voltage 1500 V;
• acceptable cost;
• compactness;
• quality.

• fakes are common.

Conclusion

SPD or surge protection device is a protective type of equipment. Similar problems often occur on electrical wires. Installation is carried out directly in panels or electrical cabinets. Able to divert overvoltage to the installed grounding. There are models based on varistors and gas dischargers. On the market, you can also find models of a combined type, in which both arresters and varistors are used. In everyday life, designs are used to protect electrical appliances:

• operating from 220/380 V;
• individual use up to 1000 V;
• data transmission networks 5-110 V.