Surge protection

NEC code requirements for surge protection

620.51(E) “Where any of the disconnecting means in 620.51 has been designated as
supplying an emergency system load, surge protection shall be provided”.
This article was added to address emergency system loads such as elevators,
escalators, moving sidewalks, chairlifts and associated equipment.

645.18 “Surge protection shall be provided for Critical Operations Data Systems.”
Critical Operation Data Systems is defined by the NECT as “Information technology
equipment systems that require continuous operation for reasons of public safety,
emergency management, national security or business continuity.”

670.6 “Industrial machinery with safety interlock circuits shall have surge protection
installed”. The concern is failure of safety interlocks on machinery, causing safety risk
to operators who may not be aware of disabled safety mechanisms.

694.7(D) “A surge protection device shall be installed between a wind electric system
and any loads served by the premises electrical system.” The surge device can be on
the circuit serving the wind electric system or on the load side of the service disconnect.

695.15 “A listed surge protection device shall be installed in or on the fire pump
controller.” A new NEC provision requires a listed surge protection device (SPD) to be
installed in or on the fire pump controller. An SPD is necessary to provide protection
for the fire pump controller. A study commissioned by the Fire Protection Research
Foundation found that 12% of those surveyed had damage to fire pumps due to surges.

700.8 “A listed SPD shall be installed in or on all emergency systems switchboards

and panelboards.” The NEC defines emergency power systems as systems legally
required to automatically supply power to designated loads upon loss of normal power.
This requirement will help ensure emergency electrical-distribution systems continue
to deliver reliable power to vital life-safety loads in the event of damaging surges.

708.20 “Surge protection devices shall be provided at all facility voltage distribution
levels” for Critical Operation Power Systems (COPS). COPS systems include but are not
limited to power systems, HVAC, fire alarms, security, communications and signaling for
designated critical operations areas. Surge protection ensures that these systems will
operate in an emergency situation.
Which surge solution is right for you?
Use this guide to figure out which series best meets your needs and applications.

Application Commercial/industrial Light commercial Original equipment manufacturer/control

applications applications panel applications

Main switchgear, switchboard, Distribution panelboard, Control panel, point of use

Product category motor control center, outdoor load subpanel, loadcenter

NEC code requirements 620.51(E), 645.18, 694.7(D), 620.51(E), 645.18, 695.15, 670.6, 695.15, 708.20
for surge protection C 700.8 700.8, 708.20

IEEET exposure Category C Category B Category A

Control panel/point of use Single-phase

Typical panel current rating Unlimited Up to 4000 A Up to 1000 A Up to 400 A Up to 200 A point of use

Peak kA rating per phase 100–800 kA 50–400 kA 50–200 kA 50–100 kA 50 kA 45 kA Up to 80 kA

120–600 Vac 100–240 Vac

Nominal voltage 120–600 Vac 120–600 Vac 120–600 Vac 120–600 Vac 120–600 Vac
48, 125 Vdc 24, 48 Vdc

ULT 1449/CSAT type 1 and 2 1 and 2 1 and 2 1 1 1 2

UL 1283 EMI/RFI 50 dB 50 dB 40 dB 0 dB 0 dB 0 dB Up to 75 dB
filtering (dB)

NEMA® NEMA
Enclosure 4 and 4X 1, 4 and 4X NEMA 4X NEMA 4X NEMA 4 NEMA 4X Open

Listing C
ULUS C
ULUS/CSA C
ULUS/CSA UL/CSA/CE UL UL/CSA C
URUS/CSA

Warranty 20 years A 15 years A 10 years A 5 years 2 years 2 years 10/15 years A

Feeder tap Integrated or DIN rail

Configurable Compact DIN rail Rear-nipple
Special features/applications rule, modular side-mount mounting,
design design mounting mounting
design applications series wiring

Options
Internal disconnect Yes Yes No No No No No
Audible alarm Yes Yes Yes No No No No
Form C contacts Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes B
Surge counter Yes Yes No No No No No

Product series SPM Series SPD Series SPC Series CVX Series SP1 Series SP2 Series AEGIS Series

A With online registration

B Available on some models
C Product family and rating is dependent upon
the application and exposure to surge activity

For technical assistance with surge applications, contact the

Eaton Technical Resource Center: 1.800.809.2772, option 4, option 2

Eaton spd@eaton.com Eaton.com/spd

1000 Eaton Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44122
United States
Eaton.com

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