Basic Surge and Interference Threats - Cures, FREE Tutorial...

Welcome to Industrial Electronics Care, Part 2 - ongoing Equipment Care and Maintenance saga.

Permission is granted to reproduce this copyrighted tutorial, or portions thereof, for in-house training, educational use or inclusion in technical magazine articles or text books, providing credit is given to Electronic Specialists, Inc and author. The company Web Site Address (http://www.elect-spec.com) must be included.

INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS FRIEND OR FOE? Care & Maintenance ideas for Friendlier Electronic Equipment
Part II
COPYRIGHT 1999 - 2005
by: F. J. STIFTER
PRESIDENT, ELECTRONIC SPECIALISTS, INC.
http://www.elect-spec.com
Natick, Massachusetts 01760

Last time we discussed 2 of the major surge/spike/interference sources.

This time we'll try to figure out -

Who to Blame?

Is the Power Company at Fault ??

Electrical power companies around the country strive hard to generate clean, steady, dependable electricity. By the time this new, shiny electricity gets delivered to electronic equipment across the land, this electrical power has become polluted with spikes and surges and all manner of interference.

Not Healthy.

How did this happen?

Thousands of external spike, surge and interference sources act upon AC Power before it reaches your delicate equipment. Industrial machinery, office equipment, traffic lights, household appliances, radio & TV stations and Mother Nature are only a few of many factors, which contribute to AC electric power corruption and pollution.

Horrors! Even components within the immediate equipment configuration may contribute spikes and interference, leading to damage and disruption. Much like kids bringing a cold home from school.

Heavy duty machinery or controlled devices may not be electrically isolated from controllers or computer.

Large laser printers or computer controlled tools may also require electrical isolation from the controller.

Well, maybe we can blame Mother Nature !

Lightning and other natural events often induce severe spikes, surges and interference on power lines, phone lines, network and video cables.. Lightning, more common and severe in summer, is a major cause for concern year round.

Broadly speaking, lightning is an electrical arc discharge between a charged cloud and earth; or between two oppositely charged clouds. A visible arc or ‘‘bolt’’ is created by the discharge current path. Discharge current continues between these two oppositely charged points until sufficient voltage equilibrium is reached so current can no longer maintain the arc.

Engineering studies show that it requires several million volts to initiate the lightning ‘‘bolt’’ or arc.

Studies also show that ‘‘bolt’’ or arc current may reach several million amps.

Over a billion horse-power in that Lightning Bolt!

Impressive, eh?

As this massive ‘‘bolt’’ or arc current begins to flow, a gigantic magnetic field is created. This large magnetic field spreads out from the ‘‘bolt’’ and sweeps across the country side, cutting across everything in its path.

Commercial electricity is generated by passing a wire loop through a magnetic field in the power company generating station alternators. (Actually many loops, dynamo driven through a very strong magnetic field)

Similarly, electricity is generated in wires that are swept by this gigantic, lightning caused magnetic field.

Electrical power lines, telephone lines, coaxial network and video lines (even metal clothes line !) have large voltage spikes and surges (up to 6,000 volts!) and interference inductively coupled by this sweeping magnetic field. These spikes, surges and interference are applied to all line connected equipment.

After the ‘‘bolt’’ or arc is extinguished, the built up magnetic field collapses, inducing another series of spikes, surges and interference.

From the preceding discussion, it’s obvious power, phone, data, video or network lines need not suffer direct lightning hits to develop damaging high voltage spikes, surges and interference.

Other natural events, such as spherics from wind, dust or snow storms also induce severe interference, surges and transient spikes on lines and cables. Although results from spherics can damage equipment and disrupt operation, they are seldom as severe as lightning.

And what about Man?
(always a good fall guy)

Man Made Problems - Industrial machinery, electric motors, air conditioners, relays, power company switch gear and other heavy duty power equipment create high voltage surges, spikes and interference year round.

Even a simple home vacuum cleaner or refrigerator may create these problems. Surges and spikes from these sources can reach 2,000 volts and often inflict serious damage to Industrial controllers, computers and measurement equipment.

Of course, connected phone, data or network lines are liable to pick up power line induced transients, surges and interference.

Many experts feel delicate Industrial electronic equipment is more at risk from AC Power Line surges, spikes and interference than from lightning.

Side Effects

Bear in mind that not all AC Power, data, network, video or phone line spikes/surges are severe enough to cause immediate equipment damage. Delicate circuits can be over stressed. Each over voltage hit degrades circuits and components a bit more; becoming more prone to interference or damage. After a number of hits, failure finally results.

A couple of severe storms could degrade the equipment, with actual system breakdown occurring much later when a shop vacuum cleaner was switched on!

High performance protective systems, as discussed in the next sections, clamp power, phone, video and data line surges and spikes to safe limits, holding over-stress to a minimum level, prolonging equipment life. Filtering systems are presented that remove disruptive interference.

Next Time

Our next tutorial installment will discuss - What can be done?

It will be at your in-box in a few weeks.

In the meantime, our FAQ pages discuss a wide range of practical problems and solutions based upon countless hours I have spent beating spikes, transients, surges and interference into submission. Check 'em out!

To review Part I of this Tutorial - Introduction to Problems - Click Here

Recommend this Free Tutorial to a colleague - Sign them Up Here

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[http://www.elect-spec.com/include_2.htm]

Ferroresonant
Voltage Regulators
Precision Variac Voltage Regulators
....... Stepper Motor
Voltage Regulators
......Hi-Power
Voltage Regulators Dial Up Modem Speed-up & Telecommunications
Protection Systems
RJ-11, RJ11, RJ-21, RJ21, RJ-45, RJ45
Screw Terminals <> Wire-In
<> DSL Cable Modems )x4c(
Speed-up, Isolation,
Intermittent Cable Sync
& Protectors Systems

Voltage Regulation - extends UPS operating Voltage Range
AC Power Protection
...... Discussion & Over View

Software
.... Engineering, Photography, Utilities

Books .... Technical, Computer

Ultra High Current Source

Regulated High Current Source

Ultra Hi Current Ammeter
Networks, Data Line , Controller Protection
RS-232, RS232, RS-422, RS422, RS-485, RS485
DB-9, DB9, DB-15, DB15, DB-25, DB25, Wire-in
RJ-11, RJ11, RJ-45, RJ45, 10Base-T, 100Base-T
Automation, Instrumentation Protectors

AC Power Line Protection 220-250 Volts
...... Commercial ... Industrial and
.. Laboratory & Basic Grades
NEMA 6-15, 615, 6-20, 620
Multiple circuit
Relay Rack Mount
Modem / Phone / Telco Protection Networks, Data Line, Controller Banks
Relay Rack Mount--Multiple Line Systems
Process Control and Automation

Direct Plug AC Power Protection
with built in Modem Protector Dual Function - Direct Plug AC Power
and Modem Protectors Dual Function - Direct Plug AC Power
and Network Protectors

AC Power Line Protection 120 Volts
...... Commercial ... Industrial,
.. Laboratory & Basic Grades
International too !
NEMA 5-15, 515, 5-20, 520 Phone System Protection
and Interference Control
Modular plugs, sockets
RJ-11, RJ11, RJ-21, RJ21, RJ-45, RJ45 Audio-Video System Protection
Cameras, Monitors, Displays, Amplifiers
50 / 75 ohm, RG-6, RG6, RG-58, RG58, RG-59
RG59, RG-62, RG62, RCA, PL-259, BNC, UHF
Video Guard Hum Buckers

Wire-in AC Power Line Filter-Suppressor
Wire Leads <> Screw Terminals
Solder Lugs <> Push-on Tabs
Retrofit and OEM applications DIN RAIL Mount
Modem - Phone Line Protector
NetWorks Protector
RJ-11, RJ11, RJ-21, RJ21, RJ-45, RJ45
DB-9, DB9, DB-15, DB15, DB-25, DB25
<>Screw Terminals <> Wire-In Video <> Monitors & Displays <> Surveillance
Video Interference Choke
Video Guard Hum Buckers

Extreme Duty
Motor and Controller Suppressors
<> single phase
<> 2-phase <> 3-phase Twist-Lock^{® *} Filter-Suppressors for NEMA
L5-15, L5-20, L5-30, L515, L520, L530 L6-15, L6-20, L6-30, L615, L620, L630
L10-, L11-, L14-, L15-, 15, 20, 30
* Twist-Lock is a registered trademark of Hubbell Incorporated Relay Rack Mount,
Multiple Circuit Video Protectors

Variable Voltage
....... Regulators
....... Isolation Transformers
....... Variacs
....... 400 Hz Variacs Industrial & Copier
Hi-Current Filter-Suppressors
AC Hi Power Protection
NEMA 14-20, 1420, 14-30, 1430, 14-50, 1450 Cable Modem <>
Speed-up, Isolation
& Protection System

Ground Loop Control
...... Voltage Regulators
...... Isolation Transformers
...... Cable TV / Cable Modem Isolators Application Notes
...... Dozens of Practical
Money Saving Tips Cable Isolators
Audio/Video Ground Loop Eliminator
<> F-connector
<> BNC-Video Guard

Isolation Devices
....... Transformers
....... Isolators-Filters Pneumatic Interrupters * Power Shutdown
Pressure <> Vacuum Switches Surveillance <> Security
Monitors / Displays / Video Protectors
Video Guard Hum Buckers

New ! ! AC Power Line Interrupters
Power Shut Down Power Transformers
...... Regulators
...... Isolation
...... Autotransformer Power Conditioners
...... Regulators
...... Isolation Transformers

New ! ! AC Power Line
..... Voltage Converters
,.... Voltage Converter Regulators
..... Voltage Converter Plug Adapter Strips
..... Universal AC Plug Adapters Travel Adapters
.... Phone RJ-11 Adapters
.... AC Power Plug Adapter Strips
.... AC Power Plug Adapters Lap Tops
..... Laptop Phone Line Protector
..... Laptop AC Power Protector

Variable / Adjustable Transformers
....... Variacs
....... 3-Phase Variable Transformers
....... 400 Hz Variacs
....... 400 / 60 / 50Hz Variable Transformers
....... Stepper Motor Voltage Regulators

View
Custom Design Transformers
Ultra High Current Source

Regulated High Current Source

Ultra Hi Current Ammeter
Application Guide
Cross Reference
- - Locate Your Problem
- - - - - Find a Fix !!
We Now Offer Software
Check 1,000's of Books
Boost PC Performance !

Frequency Converters
...... Solid State <> to 5 KVA
...... Motor-Gen & Solid State
.......... 5KVA to 500 KVA
....... Rotary Converters
Satellite
.....Protection Systems             .....Power Supplies
.....Industrial
.....Commercial Complete Subject
and Product Listing

SureTest
Electrical Circuit Analyzer
<> Harmonics
<> Ground Voltage & Noise
<> Load Voltage Drop
<> Ground Impedance Can't Find What You Need ? Look Here !
or Check our Search Engine
Catalog Sheets -
........ Down Load Here
Why the Professionals buy
Electronic Specialists
Protection Products

Complete Subject
and Product Listing Free Tutorial - Equipment Protection Complete
Product index

Press Releases Check Out - - - - Free Stuff Product
Application Notes

Check out complete
Site Map Learn What "Everybody "
Knows - - - - or should Know ! ! Why you need
Hi-Performance Protection

Save !!
Surplus from Production Electronic Specialists
Home Page About
Electronic Specialists

Frequently Asked Questions
<> with dozens of Answers

Check our Search Engine

Electronic Specialists regularly supplies Regulation, Suppression and Protection Products
for 100, 110, 115, 117, 120, 125/250, 120/208, 220/380, 277/480 Volts
single, dual and 3-phase systems

[http://www.elect-spec.com/include_1a.htm]

Ferroresonant Voltage Regulators Precision Variac Voltage Regulators ....... Stepper Motor Voltage Regulators ......Hi-Power Voltage Regulators	Dial Up Modem Speed-up & Telecommunications Protection Systems RJ-11, RJ11, RJ-21, RJ21, RJ-45, RJ45 Screw Terminals <> Wire-In <> DSL	Cable Modems )x4c( Speed-up, Isolation, Intermittent Cable Sync & Protectors Systems
Voltage Regulation - extends UPS operating Voltage Range AC Power Protection ...... Discussion & Over View	Software .... Engineering, Photography, Utilities Books .... Technical, Computer Ultra High Current Source Regulated High Current Source Ultra Hi Current Ammeter	Networks, Data Line , Controller Protection RS-232, RS232, RS-422, RS422, RS-485, RS485 DB-9, DB9, DB-15, DB15, DB-25, DB25, Wire-in RJ-11, RJ11, RJ-45, RJ45, 10Base-T, 100Base-T Automation, Instrumentation Protectors
AC Power Line Protection 220-250 Volts ...... Commercial ... Industrial and .. Laboratory & Basic Grades NEMA 6-15, 615, 6-20, 620	Multiple circuit Relay Rack Mount Modem / Phone / Telco Protection	Networks, Data Line, Controller Banks Relay Rack Mount--Multiple Line Systems Process Control and Automation
Direct Plug AC Power Protection with built in Modem Protector	Dual Function - Direct Plug AC Power and Modem Protectors	Dual Function - Direct Plug AC Power and Network Protectors
AC Power Line Protection 120 Volts ...... Commercial ... Industrial, .. Laboratory & Basic Grades International too ! NEMA 5-15, 515, 5-20, 520	Phone System Protection and Interference Control Modular plugs, sockets RJ-11, RJ11, RJ-21, RJ21, RJ-45, RJ45	Audio-Video System Protection Cameras, Monitors, Displays, Amplifiers 50 / 75 ohm, RG-6, RG6, RG-58, RG58, RG-59 RG59, RG-62, RG62, RCA, PL-259, BNC, UHF Video Guard Hum Buckers
Wire-in AC Power Line Filter-Suppressor Wire Leads <> Screw Terminals Solder Lugs <> Push-on Tabs Retrofit and OEM applications	DIN RAIL Mount Modem - Phone Line Protector NetWorks Protector RJ-11, RJ11, RJ-21, RJ21, RJ-45, RJ45 DB-9, DB9, DB-15, DB15, DB-25, DB25 <>Screw Terminals <> Wire-In	Video <> Monitors & Displays <> Surveillance Video Interference Choke Video Guard Hum Buckers
Extreme Duty Motor and Controller Suppressors <> single phase <> 2-phase <> 3-phase	Twist-Lock^{® } Filter-Suppressors for NEMA L5-15, L5-20, L5-30, L515, L520, L530 L6-15, L6-20, L6-30, L615, L620, L630 L10-, L11-, L14-, L15-, 15, 20, 30 Twist-Lock is a registered trademark of Hubbell Incorporated	Relay Rack Mount, Multiple Circuit Video Protectors
Variable Voltage ....... Regulators ....... Isolation Transformers ....... Variacs ....... 400 Hz Variacs	Industrial & Copier Hi-Current Filter-Suppressors AC Hi Power Protection NEMA 14-20, 1420, 14-30, 1430, 14-50, 1450	Cable Modem <> Speed-up, Isolation & Protection System
Ground Loop Control ...... Voltage Regulators ...... Isolation Transformers ...... Cable TV / Cable Modem Isolators	Application Notes ...... Dozens of Practical Money Saving Tips	Cable Isolators Audio/Video Ground Loop Eliminator <> F-connector <> BNC-Video Guard
Isolation Devices ....... Transformers ....... Isolators-Filters	Pneumatic Interrupters * Power Shutdown Pressure <> Vacuum Switches	Surveillance <> Security Monitors / Displays / Video Protectors Video Guard Hum Buckers
New ! ! AC Power Line Interrupters Power Shut Down	Power Transformers ...... Regulators ...... Isolation ...... Autotransformer	Power Conditioners ...... Regulators ...... Isolation Transformers
New ! ! AC Power Line ..... Voltage Converters ,.... Voltage Converter Regulators ..... Voltage Converter Plug Adapter Strips ..... Universal AC Plug Adapters	Travel Adapters .... Phone RJ-11 Adapters .... AC Power Plug Adapter Strips .... AC Power Plug Adapters	Lap Tops ..... Laptop Phone Line Protector ..... Laptop AC Power Protector
Variable / Adjustable Transformers ....... Variacs ....... 3-Phase Variable Transformers ....... 400 Hz Variacs ....... 400 / 60 / 50Hz Variable Transformers ....... Stepper Motor Voltage Regulators	View Custom Design Transformers Ultra High Current Source Regulated High Current Source Ultra Hi Current Ammeter	Application Guide Cross Reference - - Locate Your Problem - - - - - Find a Fix !! We Now Offer Software Check 1,000's of Books Boost PC Performance !
Frequency Converters ...... Solid State <> to 5 KVA ...... Motor-Gen & Solid State .......... 5KVA to 500 KVA ....... Rotary Converters	Satellite .....Protection Systems .....Power Supplies .....Industrial .....Commercial	Complete Subject and Product Listing
SureTest Electrical Circuit Analyzer <> Harmonics <> Ground Voltage & Noise <> Load Voltage Drop <> Ground Impedance	Can't Find What You Need ? Look Here ! or Check our Search Engine Catalog Sheets - ........ Down Load Here	Why the Professionals buy Electronic Specialists Protection Products
Complete Subject and Product Listing	Free Tutorial - Equipment Protection	Complete Product index
Press Releases	Check Out - - - - Free Stuff	Product Application Notes
Check out complete Site Map	Learn What "Everybody " Knows - - - - or should Know ! !	Why you need Hi-Performance Protection
Save !! Surplus from Production	Electronic Specialists Home Page	About Electronic Specialists
Frequently Asked Questions <> with dozens of Answers		Check our Search Engine