Storm season is upon us—depending on where you live, you’ll want to be prepared. Whether you’re an individual protecting your home and your family or a business owner trying to do what’s best for your company, being ready can mean the difference between huge losses and getting through to the other side relatively unscathed.
The safety basics always come first. However, once those needs are covered, there are steps you can take to protect your expensive investments.
For example, safeguard your LED lighting systems.
LEDs are incredibly durable and are built with sturdy components that are rugged and can withstand extreme conditions, yet no technology is fool proof. To help you get through storm season with your valuable electronics, here’s what you need to know about surge protection.
A surge is an intense increase in voltage within an electrical circuit—for LED lighting systems; surges can wear out the LED drivers, which wears down the lifecycle of your luminaires and causes interruptions.
Here’s the thing: Not all surges are the same.
You have two common types of surges:
With storm-related surges, we’re talking about option one.
When it comes to lightning-related surges, their magnitude is significantly greater, accompanied by a much larger release of energy. However, their duration is noticeably shorter—this is because lightning's presence is brief, particularly in comparison to other forms of energy. Consequently, the effects of a lightning-related surge are easily recognizable due to the localized, catastrophic, and extensive damage it inflicts on equipment. Compare this to an artificially-generated surge that causes more widespread damage but is less catastrophic.
The best way to protect against this damage and keep your investments from failing is to use surge protection.
Surge protection devices can be installed on a vulnerable line in series or parallel.
In series, surge protectors act like fuses—in the event of a surge, the luminaires will shut down, but the surge protector will keep the lighting system from being damaged down the line.
In parallel, the surge protector will keep the lighting system working through the surge even after the protector is damaged. In this case, you’ll sacrifice some lifecycle for the lighting system to continue functioning correctly through any surge event.
LED lighting systems represent a considerable cost and time investment—because of this, it’s more important than ever to ensure that you have adequate protection for your investment. Using surge limiters will safeguard LED lighting circuits from potential damage and extend the lifespan of your investment.
While surge protection cannot guarantee absolute immunity, it significantly reduces the risk of extensive damage caused by surges. This is precisely why the surge limiter market continues flourishing—especially as more companies and municipalities switch to LED lighting to capitalize on its benefits. Surge limiters are relatively easy to install and cost-effective, particularly compared to the potential expenses incurred from LED driver damage.
For example, the GRE Alpha SEL-20kA - this device offers the utmost protection for any LED lighting investment, guarding against both direct and indirect lightning strikes. It’s also fully potted, enabling reliable operation in both indoor and outdoor installations.
Key features of the GRE Alpha SEL-20kA include:
The SEL-20kA is suitable for various applications, including outdoor lighting signage, parking lots, etc.
Protect Your Investment With the Right Surge Protector
With storm season here, don’t let your investment fall to catastrophic surges. The right surge protection devices will help you protect your investment, like GRE Alpha’s SEL-20kA, and reap the benefits of LED lighting for years.
Protect your investment with GRE Alpha today!
Filed in: Company News