More security and stability for your electrical networks

In the power distribution landscape, surge protection has become increasingly critical across a variety of markets. From the intricate electronics within industrial production facilities to the robust systems powering solar and wind farms, the need for reliable surge protection has never been more pronounced. 

Mersen stands as a leader in this crucial field, offering a comprehensive suite of surge protection solutions designed to meet the unique challenges of each sector. Our expertise and commitment to innovation enable us to deliver advanced surge protection solutions (SPDs) that not only meet but exceed the safety and performance expectations of our clients. 

We are not a simple supplier. With Mersen, businesses and industries gain a partner dedicated to elevating the safety and stability of their electrical networks against the unpredictable nature of voltage spikes.

Mersen offers a comprehensive range of surge protective devicesi on solutions tailored to protect a wide number of applications against voltage spikes. Our innovative solutions are designed for specific industry needs, ensuring maximum safety and operational continuity across sectors.

Choosing the right surge protective devices involves understanding your system’s unique needs and the specific challenges it faces. Mersen guides you through identifying key factors such as load characteristics, surge origins, and industry standards to ensure optimal protection and compliance.

Identifying surge protection requirements based on load characteristics

The first step in selecting the appropriate surge protection solutions is to assess the load characteristics of your system. 

This assessment includes :

• understanding the type of devices or systems being protected
• their voltage
• their current requirements
• their sensitivity to surges

For example, surge protection for solar energy systems needs to accommodate high transient voltages resulting from lightning or grid switching activities. Similarly, surge protection solutions for wind energy must be capable of handling dynamic load variations and the environmental factors typical of wind farms. 

Mersen’s surge protective devices are designed with these considerations in mind, ensuring that each solution is perfectly matched to the load characteristics of the application, thereby providing effective protection against surge-related damages while maintaining system performance.

Analyzing surge origin and frequency in your industry

Understanding the source and frequency of surges within your industry is crucial for selecting the right surge protection. 

For instance, railways face surges primarily from switching and grounding issues, necessitating devices that can handle these specific types of disturbances. 

On the other hand, power electronics within industrial settings might experience surges due to fast switching devices or fault conditions. 

Mersen's expertise lies in analyzing these industry-specific challenges and offering surge protection solutions that address the unique origins and frequencies of surges encountered. By accurately identifying these factors, we ensure that your infrastructure is equipped with surge protection that not only matches but anticipates the electrical phenomena typical of your operations, providing superior safeguarding against potential damage.

Selecting surge protection solutions based on energy dissipation and clamping voltage

The effectiveness of surge protective devices is significantly influenced by its energy dissipation capacity and clamping voltage level. Choosing the right surge protection solutions involves considering devices that offer adequate energy handling capabilities to protect against the magnitude of surges your system might face. 

For instance, buildings with sensitive electronic equipment may require surge protective devices with lower clamping voltages to ensure delicate circuits are not exposed to damaging energy levels. Conversely, battery storage systems, with their inherent capacity to absorb and release large amounts of energy, might necessitate SPDs with higher energy dissipation capabilities. 

Mersen's range of surge protection solutions is designed to cater to these diverse needs, providing options that ensure optimal protection across applications by carefully balancing energy dissipation requirements and clamping voltage specifications to protect your assets effectively.

Compatibility with system architecture and regulatory compliance

Ensuring that surge protective devices (SPDs) are compatible with your system's architecture and comply with regulatory standards is essential for both safety and effectiveness. 

• For solar energy systems, this means choosing SPDs that match the photovoltaic (PV) system's voltage levels and grounding configurations. 
• Additionally, adherence to local and international standards guarantees that your surge protection strategy meets the highest safety and performance benchmarks. 
• Mersen's surge protection solutions are engineered to integrate seamlessly with various system architectures while meeting stringent regulatory requirements. 
• For railway applications, this includes compliance with specific safety and performance standards like EN 50121, ensuring that every surge protection strategy enhances system resilience without compromising on regulatory obligations.

Surge protective devices (SPD) play a crucial role in safeguarding electrical systems from voltage spikes. Through a series of mechanisms, they detect, divert, and dissipate excess voltage, ensuring the safety and longevity of connected devices and infrastructure.

Surge protection solutions detect voltage speaks

Surge protective devices (SPD) are designed with sophisticated detection mechanisms that instantly recognize abnormal voltage levels, crucial for preventing damage to electrical systems. 

For instance, in applications like surge protection for solar energy, this capability is vital. Solar energy systems, often exposed to the elements, are particularly susceptible to voltage spikes caused by lightning strikes or grid fluctuations. The moment a spike is detected, surge protective devices act swiftly to mitigate potential harm. This rapid response not only preserves the integrity of the solar panels and associated equipment but also ensures the continuous production and distribution of clean energy. 

Diverting surges through grounding systems

A fundamental function of surge protection equipment is to divert excess voltage away from sensitive electronics through grounding systems. This process is essential in environments like wind energy production or railway operations, where the infrastructure is often at risk from surges caused by lightning or operational activities. By channeling the surge energy safely into the ground, Mersen’s surge protective devices prevent potential damage to critical components and ensure the uninterrupted operation of these systems. 

Surge protection equipment clamps down the excess voltage 

Once a voltage spike is detected, surge protection equipment steps in to clamp down the excess voltage to a safer level before it can reach and damage the connected equipment. This action is particularly critical in settings involving power electronics, where even minor fluctuations can result in significant damage to sensitive components. 

Mersen's surge protective devices are engineered to quickly react to surges, effectively reducing the voltage to a manageable level and dissipating the surplus energy in a controlled manner. This capability ensures that systems, especially those reliant on delicate electronic processes, remain secure and operational, safeguarding against the potential costs and downtime associated with surge damage.

Surge protection continuously monitors the line voltage

Surge protective devices are not just reactive; they continuously monitor the line voltage for any signs of transient voltages that could harm downstream circuits. This ongoing vigilance is crucial in sectors like production and electrical distribution, where the integrity of the electrical supply is foundational to operational success. 

By actively scanning for irregularities, Mersen’s surge protection equipment can preemptively engage its protective mechanisms, either blocking the surge or redirecting it to ground. This level of constant surveillance and immediate response ensures that the electrical systems remain safeguarded against surges, minimizing the risk of equipment damage and ensuring the reliability of the power distribution.

Resetting or replacement surge protection after surge events

Following significant surge events, surge protective devices (SPDs) may need to be reset or replaced to ensure continued protection. In buildings, where the electrical infrastructure supports a myriad of essential services and sensitive electronics, some SPDs are equipped with self-resetting features for convenience and efficiency. However, in systems handling high-energy surges, such as those found in battery storage applications, manual inspection and replacement of the SPDs might be necessary to maintain optimal surge protection. Mersen designs its surge protection solutions with these considerations in mind, offering a range of devices that cater to the specific needs of each application.