Revolution in Surge Arrester Technology | Raycap Safetec Technology

Today, surge protection products are of great importance for protecting electrical systems and devices against sudden overvoltage and lightning strikes, and the staged use of these products in our systems is mandatory. A lightning strike is an extremely powerful impulse that can reach peak values of up to 200 kA and is directed to our facility within nanoseconds, and the sole purpose of a surge arrester system is to prevent this impulse from being transmitted to the facility’s electrical lines. While damping such a powerful impulse, the technology of the LV surge arrester is of critical importance to ensure sustainable protection. Otherwise, the incoming impulse may completely disable the product and render system protection ineffective, or in incorrectly selected products, the device may become inactive after providing protection only once. To prevent all these situations, we must pay close attention to the technology used inside the product.

When we look at surge arrester technologies, the use of semiconductor components comes to the forefront. Although it varies by class type, varistors and Zener diodes are predominantly used to divert the impulse. However, as the intensity of the incoming impulse increases, varistor technology becomes insufficient, and especially on the earth-neutral line, the product becomes inoperative due to damage to the varistor. This situation requires continuous monitoring and supervision of the product and prevents sustainable protection in the system. Within the scope of IEC standards, products using varistor technology are required to provide protection a maximum of 5 times. However, if an impulse exceeds its capacity, this number can be reduced to a single operation. Varistor-based products create problems in hard-to-access areas such as solar systems and GSM towers. Nevertheless, it is a fact that varistor technology provides the fastest damping. In parallel with technological developments, gas discharge tube and spark gap technologies are used as alternatives to varistor-based products. Although these technologies provide more durable damping compared to the weakness of varistors, unfortunately they cannot reach the speed of varistors, especially for secondary impulses. Many companies remain undecided between varistor or spark gap technologies. Varistor-based products activate within 25 nanoseconds but self-destruct, whereas spark gap products activate within 100 nanoseconds, offering greater durability but raising concerns regarding lightning speed.

The dilemma of speed versus durability has been resolved by Raycap engineers with three-chamber Safetec technology products that rapidly adapt to modern technology. Raycap systems combine the speed of varistors, the durability of argon gas-filled tubes, and the maintenance-free nature of spark gap technology within a single cartridge. Thus, especially in B+C class products, the device never becomes inoperative and incorporates all technologies within the same cartridge.

Thus, the speed–durability equation comes to life in Raycap Safetec systems. Especially for solar systems, GSM towers, flammable and explosive facilities, and cement plants, Safetec technology provides sustainable protection against overvoltage and lightning. Overvoltage and lightning impulses pose major risks, particularly for facilities with external lightning protection systems and telecom lines. With the correct technology and product selection, systems can become 100% protected; however, even with Safetec technology products, proper coordination between devices, correct determination of Uc values, attention to maximum and nominal current ratings, and correct installation are crucial for proper surge arrester system design.

As the Lightning Protection Center, the survey and project support we provide with our expert engineers and application team prevent all adverse situations. We use state-of-the-art surge and lightning protection products such as Safetec technology in our systems. For technical details and our latest articles, you can follow www.yilkomer.com and watch the detailed video of Safetec technology.