Lightning Protection

Surge Protection
Safety Equipment
Coordinated Surge Protection
DEHN + SÖHNE
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The Lightning Flood Wave The Safe Protection Concept

When lightning hits an installation, high impulse currents strength of the parts of the installation and the terminal Safe lightning and surge protection is based on the lightning downstream protective stages is to discharge the residual
and impulse voltages come up within conductive systems devices. protection zones concept described in IEC 62305-4 impulse currents of the lightning flood wave and to reduce
which can be compared to an enormous “flood wave“. If These requirements are fulfilled with the (EN 62305-4). The relevant organising principle of dividing the surges induced by the electromagnetic field to an
this “flood wave“ is not broken, important electrical DEHN Surge Arrester Family the object to be protected into protection zones (known as acceptable level for downstream equipment.
consumers will be destroyed. lightning protection zones (LPZ)) and defining the zone
boundaries can be applied both to protect a detached house While single-stage or two-stage protection concepts are
The impact of this “flood wave“ is described and defined in and a large-scale installation (e.g. a data processing centre). designed for small-sized electrical installations, e.g. a radio
lightning protection standard series IEC 62305 (EN 62305). First the outside area of the object to be protected is divided base station, a three-stage protection concept has proven to
The lightning flood wave is similar to an impulse current up into protection zones, then the inside area. Surge arresters be an economical and technical optimum for medium-sized
reaching its peak value within only 10 millionths of a second Coordinated Surge Protection are installed at the boundaries of the different protection and major installations. Often, the SPDs are used according
and reducing its value again by 50% within 350 millionths for Power Supply Systems zones. As the physical relations are not important for whether to the already existing electrical “nodes” in main distribution
of a second. lightning hits a detached house or a data processing centre, boards, subdistribution boards and final electrical circuits or
the lightning protection requirements on the SPDs are nearly at terminal devices. The SPDs in the subdistribution boards
Apart from the dynamic and thermal destruction caused by independent from the installation site. and final circuits are distinguished between SPDs Type 2 and
this “lightning flood wave” in unprotected installations, the I (kA) Wave form 10/350 μs Type 3 according to EN 61643-11 and typically consist of
200 Lightning impulse current
lightning impulse current releases an electromagnetic field Peak value 200 kA For SPDs for power supply systems, IEC 60364-5-53 complements varistors (voltage-controlled resistors).
impulse. Charge 100 As the lightning protection requirements of the SPDs with the To make the coordination of the individual protective stages
This electromagnetic field impulse enters the structure, its Specific energy 6.25 MJ/ system-related requirements of the application field. As safety possible, energy coordination is required. Like for the selective
systems and terminal equipment in a hardly sensible way allows no compromises, the Red/Line product family from stages of fuses in power lines, “selectivity” also has to be
and generates surges of several 1000 V in conductor loops DEHN + SÖHNE provides the appropriate SPDs for every type achieved for lightning current and surge arresters in order to
and circuits. 100 of installation. prevent from being overloaded on the SPDs connected in
parallel and the devices to be protected.
In order to control this lightning force successfully, a specified The first protective stage (LPZ 0A - 1) requires a “wave breaker”
lightning and surge protection concept is necessary. The to discharge most of the lightning current. Therefore, the
surge protective devices (SPDs) used must be designed for SPD used for this stage (SPD Type 1 according to
the loads coming up on site. They have to be energy- EN 61643-11), is also called lightning current arrester.
0
coordinated among each other and with the equipment and 350 700 Such impulse energies can only be controlled safely by spark
terminal systems to be protected. Furthermore, their voltage gaps, as these “switch“ the lightning impulse current wave
protection levels must be coordinated with the insulating Lightning impulse current 10/350 μs and thus reduce the pulse time. The function of the

Lightning protection zones concept according to IEC 62305-4

Coordinated Surge Protection

for Power Supply Systems
The Wave Breakers
Lightning Protection Zones 0A/1 and 0A/2
In order to render the “impact” of the “lightning flood To ensure that ignited spark gaps will cause no short circuits According to application, the DEHN “wave breakers” are
wave” harmless for the electrical installation affected, at the installation, only spark gaps with a high self- designed as combined lightning current and surge arresters,
powerful creepage discharge spark gaps are used. With their extinguishing capability and follow current limitation are coordinated lightning current arresters and lightning current
unique capability to reduce the pulse time, these spark gaps used. arresters. With DEHNventil®, DEHNbloc® M and DEHNbloc®,
are also called “wave breakers”. The “RADAX Flow” follow current limiting and extinguishing the user will find the right solution for every type of installation.
Alternative technologies such as varistors fail because of the technology developed by DEHN + SÖHNE allows for a
high energy transformation due to their continuous current- selectivity with respect to small-sized installation fuses of DEHNventil® M Combined Lightning Current and Surge
voltage characteristic when lightning currents, waveform 20 A gL/gG even in case of prospective installation short- Arrester
10/350 μs, flow. circuit currents up to 50 kArms. The 2-, 3- and 4-pole DEHNventil M devices are definite
Modern creepage discharge spark gaps are completely 100 thousands of RADAX Flow creepage discharge spark combined lightning current and surge arresters. Their capacity
encapsulated. The encapsulation prevents the leakage of gaps from the DEHN + SÖHNE Red/Line product family of safely discharging up to 100 kA of lightning impulse currents
ionised gases and the resulting limitations on use. protect electrical installations worldwide from destruction and ensuring energy coordination to terminal devices and
and interruptions of service. downstream SPDs Type 3 at the same time, makes them a
market leader worldwide. These combined lightning current
DEHNventil® M TT and surge arresters are, of course, also based on RADAX Flow
spark gap technology, like all SPDs Type 1 of DEHN + SÖHNE.
arc voltage u
mains DEHNbloc® M Coordinated Lightning Current Arrester
voltage Whether used as a DIN rail mounted device for direct
installation on busbars - coordinated DEHNbloc® M lightning
current arresters ensure the keeping of the insulation resistance
of the electrical installation with simultaneous capability of
flowing follow
current If direct energy coordination to DEHNguard® surge arresters
prospective short- Type 2. Cable lengths or additional decoupling coils are not
circuit current Ikpros
required for coordinated DEHNbloc® M lightning current
arresters.

DEHNbloc® Maxi S which can be mounted onto busbars is an

absolute innovation: The backup fuse integrated into the
Section of DEHNventil® spark gap Follow current limitation of a RADAX Flow spark gap protective device allows for use in medium- and high-capacity
DEHNbloc® Maxi S
switchgear installations without the need of separate backup
fuses. As DEHNbloc® Maxi S can be installed upstream of the
circuit breaker into the so-called termination panel, only very
short cable lengths are required for connecting SPDs. Thus,
the low voltage protection level of DEHNbloc® Maxi S can be
optimally transferred to the switchgear installation.

DEHNbloc® H Lightning Current Arrester

For years, the lightning current arresters of the DEHNbloc®
range have provided maximum protection at boundaries
between lightning protection zone (LPZ) 0A and 1.
With DEHNbloc® H, the approved pressure-controlled
encapsulated creepage discharge spark gap is now replaced
by a modern RADAX-Flow spark gap. Also here, system
availability is a top priority. Like all DIN rail mountable RADAX
Follow current breaking selectivity with respect to fuses
DEHNbloc® M
Flow spark gaps of the Red/Line product family, DEHNbloc® H
has double terminals for protection-optimised and cost-
effective connection of the device in distribution boards.

Coordinated Surge Protection

for Power Supply Systems
N-PE Surge Arresters Type 1 Energy Coordination
Lightning Protection Zones 0A/1 and 0A/2 Lightning Protection Zone 1
DEHN + SÖHNE has been using 3+1 circuits for TT systems Energy coordination is the selective interaction of all surge
already for more than 20 years. The three phase conductors limiting modules in an electrical installation. Of course, this
are connected with e.g. DEHNbloc M to the neutral conductor includes SPDs installed at the boundaries of lightning protection
via creepage discharge spark gaps – an N-PE spark gap is zones. Moreover, energy-coordinated surge protection starts
installed between the neutral conductor and the protective with the SPD Type 1 at the service entrance and ends at, or
conductor. This type of circuit has also met the approval of better within, the device to be protected. Energy coordination
international standard committees within the scope of our is not only serial mounting of surge arresters into electrical
cooperation. installations according to their voltage protection levels. On
the contrary, this choice alone would have fatal consequences
What is the function of N-PE surge arresters Type 1? Red/Line Terminal
in case of upcoming high-energy impulse currents. This
M
SPDs for lightning equipotential bonding (Type 1) have to Type 3 device misinterpretation would lead to an overload of individual
be installed as close as possible to the service entrance. Combined lightning current and surge arrester protective stages and simultaneous failure of the installation.
For TT systems, this means installation upstream of the Energy coordination can only be achieved if the performance
residual current device (RCD). If an earth fault came up in of the different surge arresters, installation, equipment and
this area, the upstream fuse would have to assume DEHNgap BN terminal devices to be protected are known in the event of
disconnection. In case of unfavourable earthing conditions, Terminal
upcoming surges and impulse currents. Experience of decades
DEHNbloc® M Red/Line Red/Line
however, this is not ensured. DEHNgap M Type 2 Type 3 device and commitment to the elaboration of product and installation
Coordinated lightning current arrester standards has enabled DEHN + SÖHNE to include the system
In case of a fault, the N-PE surge arresters used in 3+1 circuit characteristics of energy coordination into a product family:
would cause a short-circuit current between the phase Red/Line – energy-coordinated surge protection for power
conductor and neutral conductor, which can be isolated by supply systems.
the fuse within the provided period of time. Energy coordination in a product family can only be realised
Red/Line Red/Line Terminal
Type 2 Type 3 device if lightning current arresters or combined lightning current
No matter if N-PE surge arresters Type 1 are designed as Lightning current arrester and surge arresters are capable of breaking the high-energy
lightning current arresters (DEHNgap BN), coordinated “lightning flood wave” and rendering it harmless. Only
lightning current arresters (DEHNgap M) or as part of a spark-gap-based surge arresters provide this “wave-breaking”
combined lightning current and surge arrester performance and only with these characteristics the surge
(DEHNventil) – these SPDs must provide maximum arresters Type 2 and 3, which have been tested with impulse
performance for all applications. Depending on the class of currents (8/20 μs), can be adapted to protect the terminal
lightning protection system, these surge arresters discharge devices.
DEHNgap M
the total current of the inducted “lightning flood wave” up
to 100 kA (10/350 μs) without destruction. Internal design of DEHNventil® TT According to the protective cascade to be realised in the
Additionally, these high-capacity creepage discharge spark N-PE spark gap installation to be protected, the Red/Line product family
gaps also have to maintain the safe electrical isolation provides three different SPDs Type 1:
between N and PE.
The N-PE surge arresters Type 1 of the Red/Line product > Lightning current arrester
range fulfill this task even under consideration of worst > Coordinated lightning current arrester
application environments such as existing neutral > Combined lightning current and surge arrester
displacement voltages in three-phase systems or upcoming
temporary overvoltages (TOV) due to earth faults on the For coordinating the lightning current arresters
high-voltage side of the installation or distribution (DEHNbloc H) with downstream SPDs Type 2 (DEHNguard),
transformer. the line between the installation sites of the SPDs (minimum
15 m in length) is used.

The coordinated lightning current arresters (DEHNbloc M) are

directly coordinated with DEHNguard Type 2 surge arresters.
By developing these surge arresters as a protection system,
spark gaps can no longer be bypassed (known as Blind Spot),
and damage to the downstream surge arrester
Type 2 can be avoided.

The combined lightning current and surge arresters (DEHNventil

M) of the Red/Line family provide even more features: Their
power-flow-controlled RADAX Flow spark gap is dimensioned
for energy coordination to terminal devices, i.e. one surge
arrester combines the characteristics of a complete chain of
SPDs in one single device. In spacially compact electrical
installations this means a transition from LPZ boundaries 0A
to 2 in only one step.
In expansive electrical installations, the combined lightning
current and surge arresters can, of course, also be coordinated
Coordinated Surge Protection with downstream surge arresters Type 2 (DEHNguard) or Type
for Power Supply Systems 3 (DEHNrail M) as described above.
Surge Arresters installed into Distribution Boards
Lightning Protection Zone 1/2
Surge arresters installed into distribution boards have a Already for many years DEHN + SÖHNE has been using Whether single-pole or multipole, compact or pluggable, with modules set by the manufacturer characterise the maximum
central function especially in expansive electrical installations, powerful ZnO varistors with a nominal discharge capacity or without remote signalling - the DEHNguard family provides safety of the devices. Damage due to incorrect supply by the
such as office buildings. Being the second protective stage of 20 kA (8/20 μs). The protective element must endure this the appropriate surge protection for every type of installation. installer or user is unlikely.
in the protection concept, they also connect the lightning load at least 20 times without destruction and change in Apart from devices for universal application, many application-
current arrester in the main distribution board of the building performance. specific protective circuits, e.g. for photovoltaic installations, The Thermo Dynamic Control disconnector is integrated into
to protection of the terminal device. The resulting relations can be provided. The product ranges from 75 V units to rated every DEHNguard surge arrester and ensures that the SPD
to the different arrester technologies have especially to be If this discharge capacity is exceeded due to unfavourable voltages of 1200 V for a.c. and d.c. applications. changes to an isolated state not only in case of a “standard”
taken into consideration when designing this protective conditions, e.g. due to a lacking upstream spark-gap-based overload. It also remains safe in case of significant exceeding
stage. In coaction with lightning current arresters, SPDs Type lightning current arrester, and the varistor is therefore The DEHNguard® M YPV SCI product family was specifically of the parameters of the SPD.
2 assume a part of the inducted lightning energy. overloaded, it must automatically be disconnected from designed for protecting equipment in photovoltaic systems. Therefore, the Thermo Dynamic Control monitoring and
But the surge arresters in the distribution board have a mains. With a dual monitoring system, i.e. Thermo Dynamic The combined disconnecting and short-circuiting device with disconnection device evaluates not only the surface
further difficult function. They eleminate surges inducted Control, surge arresters from DEHN + SÖHNE can be safe electrical isolation in the protection module, prevents temperature of the high-capacity varistor, but also “monitors“
by the enormous electromagnetic field impulse of lightning monitored. This prevents a faulty surge arrester from fire damage due to d.c. arcs. the intensity of the discharge current.
into the conductor loops of the installation. Their quick interfering with the operation of the system. The fault can
reaction protects also against surge impulses as they can be indicated by remote signalling, locally by an indicator or Especially the range of multipole DEHNguard devices is Apart from the standard visual indication with green and red
arise due to switching operations in electrical installations. optionally by a floating changeover contact. becoming more and more popular with designers and users. markings, the DEHNguard ... FM types have a 3-pole terminal
Metal oxide varistors (MOV) are ideal protection elements In analogy to SPDs Type 1, also N-PE surge arresters Type 2 Their product features provide maximum safety and easy for remote signalling. The remote signalling contact, being
for SPDs Type 2. These voltage-controlled resistors are installed into distribution boards for use in TT systems are application. The application-orientated product designation a floating changeover contact, can be used as a break or make
constantly active and respond to even minimal surges. These subject to high requirements. In order to ensure safety for makes the choice of the complete prewired units considerably contact, according to the circuit concept applied. The surge
U/I characteristics ensure a response of the protection element the installation and persons, only spark-gap-based surge easier. Reduced installation mistakes and simultaneous saving arresters of the DEHNguard M TNC/ ...TNS/ ...TT product family
in some billionths of a second. There is no way for surges arresters are used here. of installation work are unbeatable benefits for the customer. provide multifunctional terminals for connecting conductors
any more! Both the dual monitoring unit of every circuit with Thermo and busbars for easy wiring in connection with other DIN rail
Dynamic Control and the coding of the pluggable protection mounted devices.

U (V)

4000

2000

1000
800
600 275

400 275

200

100
10-5 10-4 10-3 10-2 10-1 100 101 102 103 104 A 105
I (A) DEHNguard® S 275 FM DEHNguard® M/S ... CI DEHNguard® M YPV SCI
U/I characteristic of a varistor and DEHNgap C S FM DEHNguard® M TT 275 FM with integrated backup-fuse Arrester for use in photovoltaic systems

Coordinated Surge Protection

for Power Supply Systems
Energy Coordination Surge Arresters for
Lightning Protection Terminal Equipment
Zone 2 Lightning Protection Zone 2/3
For energy coordination of SPDs in distribution boards with Surge arresters Type 3 are required, if This can be prevented with DEHN surge arresters Type 3 for
surge arresters at the terminal equipment to be protected, terminal devices.
it is necessary to match > inducted surges between the upstream distribution board
and terminal device may come up The surge arresters of the DEHNrail M family are especially
> the types of protection elements > sensitive electrical and electronical devices are used. designed for protection of terminal equipment in industrial
> the protective circuits electronic systems. The low voltage protection level as well
> the response performance of the protection elements and The induction of surges due to the electromagnetic field as the comprehensive protection from common-mode and
> the discharge capacities impulse of lightning depends considerably on the kind of differential-mode interferences are characteristic of
measures taken for room and conductor shielding and on DEHNrail M devices. In order to provide the low voltage
among each other. the distance between the affected conductor sections and protection level for the terminal equipment in an optimal
lightning current carrying conductors, e.g. conductors of way, the devices with input and output terminals are designed
If this is not taken into account, this could lead to an overload external lightning protection systems. for serial connection. Thus, DEHNrail M can be installed ideally
of the surge arrester at the terminal devices and thus to an into the cable run upstream of the terminal devices without
unnecessary disturbance of the operating safety. If combined lightning current and surge arresters Type 1 are requiring additional terminal blocks for outgoing cables.
used, and additional surge arrester should be installed at DEHNrail M
Usually, metal oxide varistors and gas discharge tubes are the terminal device for unshielded cable lengths of more SPS Protector combines surge protection and interference
used as protection elements for the surge arresters at the than 5 m. A 2-stage protection concept with lightning current suppressor filter in one compact design. Therefore, the device
terminal equipment. arresters installed in the main distribution board and surge provides ideal protection for sensitive terminal devices in
arresters installed into the subdistribution board, however, industrial automation. The coordinated surge protection and
The varistors are installed between the phase conductor and are assumed to require an additional terminal equipment filter functions complement one another and prevent core
neutral conductor for limitation of cross voltages. They must protection for cable lengths of the final circuits of more than saturation of the filter in case of powerful transients. The
be adapted to the upstream surge arrester in the distribution 10 m. separate input and output terminals ensure that the protective
board regarding their sparkover performance effect is provided optimally for the device to be protected.
(voltage/current characteristics), voltage protection levels When connecting and disconnecting consumers, surges can
(residual voltage) and discharge capacities. also come up between the phase and neutral conductor, With its compact design, DEHNflex M provides optimum
which can be hazardous to the terminal device. protection for cable ducts and device boxes, which are the
The gas discharge tube is installed between the active If an IT line is additionally connected to the terminal most common installation fields. It shows also impressively
conductors and protective conductor in form of a equipment, potential differences may come up in case of that compact design does not automatically mean low capacity.
Y-shaped circuit. This makes it unnecessary to disconnect interferences and can lead to disturbances or even destruction Being a two-pole surge arrester, it is the appropriate protective
the surge arrester for testing the isolation in an electrical of the terminal equipment. SPS Protector device for electronic consumers in final circuits. The Y-shaped
installation. circuit used is protected against polarity reversal, even if the
phase and neutral conductor are not clearly defined. Despite
If the SPDs fulfil the aforementioned conditions, the basis of the powerful Y-shaped circuit, the compact enclosure of
for a selective energy-coordinated surge protection is given. DEHNflex M has still enough space for a disconnector and an
acoustic fault indicator.
In analogy to the application of combined lightning current
and surge arresters and coordinated lightning current The adapters DEHNpro are designed for flexible use at socket
arresters of the Red/Line product family, energy coordination outlets.
between SPDs Type 2 (DEHNguard) and SPDs Type 3 of the
Red/Line family have already been taken into account for These devices of the DEHNpro family realise surge protection
the design of the system within the product range. Additional of electronic consumers in final circuits at socket outlets. In
decoupling coils or a minimum length of the installation DEHNpro 230 F, the high-capacity surge protective circuit of
conductor are usually not required any more. the DEHNpro 230 has been complemented by an interference
suppressor filter with balanced or unbalanced effect. With a
DEHNflex M
nominal current carrying capacity of 10 A,
DEHNpro 230 devices can be used flexibly in final circuits.
Both in these devices and in the surge protective multiple
socket outlet with filter, i.e. SFL-Protector, the Y-shaped circuit
ensures safe surge protection and high safety of devices.

DEHNprotector DPRO 230

DEHNprotector DPRO 230 F

Coordinated Surge Protection

for Power Supply Systems