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What is an Electrical Transient?


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From Alltec Corporation
p>An electrical transient is a temporary excess of voltage and/or current in an electrical circuit which has been disturbed. Transients are short duration events, typically lasting from a few thousandths of a second (milliseconds) to billionths of a second (nanoseconds), and they are found on all types of electrical, data, and communications circuits. Your power distribution system and attached load equipment is under constant attack from various types of power line disturbances. The result is an estimated $26 billion-per-year cost to U.S. companies in lost time, equipment repair, and equipment replacement. Transient voltage surges comprise the most severe and immediate danger to sensitive electrical and electronic equipment, and are often a neglected aspect of facility design.


Product Announcements
Emerson Network Power - Surge Protection - PowerSure LPL/IL Series
PowerSure LPL/IL Series protect connected equipment against electric power line disturbances and transients in low exposure locations. (read more)
Fotronic Corporation / Test Equipment Depot - Hioki 3196-01/5000PRO Power Quality Analyzer
The 3196 Power Quality Analyzer is a highly advanced measuring instrument that can monitor and record abnormal phenomena related to power supply quality and analyze the causes of problems that lead to... (read more)
Littelfuse, Inc. - New Transient Voltage Suppressors
Littelfuse Announces High-Energy Series of Transient Voltage Suppressors to Protect Critical Equipment New TVS diode devices are rated for up to 15kA surge current to protect against high-energy... (read more)
Citel America, Inc. - CITEL - DS250VG
CITEL, INC. introduces the DS250VG protection module for single and three phase AC power line applications. CITEL component engineers have developed a specially designed Gas-filled Spark Gap (GSG)... (read more)
Emerson Network Power - Surge Protection - Liebert ACV Series, Accuvar
The Liebert ACV Series (AccuVar) is a multi-phase, multi-mode distribution panel-mounted surge protection device that offers continuous protection from damaging transients and electrical line noise. (read more)
SolaHD - Surge Protection for Severe Exposure Locations.
SolaHD STV 200/400K Series offers continuous protection from damaging voltage transients and electrical noise commonly found at the service entrance or distribution panel. The modular design of the... (read more)
Citel America, Inc. - CITEL Inc- DLA \ DLA2 Series
CITEL's DLA series DIN Rail surge protectors have been designed to protect your sensitive telephone, datacom & instrumentation equipment from harmful lightning surges and electrical transients. It... (read more)
MCG SURGE PROTECTION - Heavy Duty Data Line Surge Protection: I/O Ports
Modems and telephone equipment are easily damaged by transients caused by lightning and switching surges. The DLP-4.71 installs in minutes between the telephone/data line and the sensitive equipment... (read more)

Topics of Interest
The sole function of a quality surge suppressor is to protect sensitive electronic equipment from transient overvoltages that are present on AC power circuits. It is irrelevant whether these...
Low-power electrical transients generated within a facility are the primary cause of failure to AC/DC power supplies. These transients reduce the life of power supplies and create unplanned downtime.
1.1 Introduction The operation of an electrical power system involves continuous electromechanical and electromagnetic distribution of energy among the system components. During normal operation,...
Some aspects of transient voltages have been mentioned previously, but a more detailed examination will be made in this chapter. The long-term health of a power electronics system often hinges on its...
The use of computers and other electronic systems has skyrocketed, and with it, so has the need to protect these systems from damage and service interruptions. Uninterruptible and Stand-by power...