TABLE OF CONTENTS According to their ranges of application, surge protective devices (SPDs) for power engineering and for information technology can be subdivided into two kinds: namely, lightning current arresters and surge arresters (cf. Section 4.5.2.1 and 4.5.2.2).
SPDs are internationally standardized in IEC 61643-1:1998-02 'Surge protective devices connected to low-voltage power distribution systems. Part 1: Performance requirements and testing methods'. In this standard the SPDs are distinguished according to test classes (I, II, III). It is somewhat difficult for the user to understand this classification because it is primarily meant for the producer of the SPDs.
A rather user-convenient SPD standardization is included in the German DIN VDE 0675 Part 6/6A1 and 6A2 (Table 5.8 a). As the requirements and tests of the German standard are more severe than the international standards, the German standard is taken as a basis for arrester classification.
| E DIN VDE 0675 Part 6/A1 | IEC 37A/447/CDV |
|---|---|
| Arresters class B, for lightning protection equipotential bonding purposes according to DIN VDE 0185 Part 1 | Arrester: 'Class I' |
| Arresters class C, for surge protection purposes in the permanent installation, especially for use in surge withstand category (surge category) III | Arrester: 'Class II' |
| Arresters class D, for surge protection purposes in the mobile/permanent installation, especially for use in surge withstand category (surge category) II | Arrester: 'Class III' |
Lightning current arresters must be able to discharge (high energy) lightning currents or considerable parts of them non-destructively. They are dimensioned and tested in accordance with IEC 61643-1/E DIN...
