IT’S ABOUT TIME!

P R E M I U M S U R G E P R O T E C T I O N

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◆ FACT: Lightning has proven to be the most destructiveenvironmental generator of power quality disturbances.

◆ FACT: A switching surge has multiple elements of both high and low frequency. The highest frequency element is found near the source and quickly loses energy as it moves farther away.

◆ FACT: According to power quality experts, while lightning is the most obvious source of failed equipment, temporary over voltages and swells will be the most destructive power quality events seen within the next 10 years.

◆ FACT: Although the old wives’ tale states, “Lightning doesn’t strike twice,” in reality, as many as 40 return strikes have been recorded (McCann) with visible current surges of more than 500kA, but typical surges reaching 20-40kA.

◆ FACT: A usual lightning strike can last between 50 ms to 100 ms with most of the damaging energy occurring below 1 MHz (< 1.0 ms rise times).

◆ FACT: Manufacturers of metal oxide varistor (MOV) onlybased surge protection devices claim to protect against surge events found in the micro and nano seconds; however, their products are at risk during common power quality events like temporary over voltages and voltage swells that range up to the seconds.

◆ FACT: Unlike MOV only based technology with its sensitivity to longer over voltage events, selenium hybridtechnology is proven to ride-through voltage swells unharmed, continuously protecting critical loads.

◆ FACT: Only Current Technology offers a selenium enhanced Catastrophic Protection System (CaPS) solution.

To Learn More About CaPS, Visit www.CurrentTechnology.com

CATASTROPHIC PROTECTION SYSTEM

P R E M I U M S U R G E P R O T E C T I O N

®

W W W. C U R R E N T T E C H N O L O G Y. C O M

INTRODUCTION

The CaPS portable test platformdemonstrates and validates theCurrent Technology advantage! The test performed will prove howSelenium/MOV hybrid technologyprovides better-quality protectionagainst transients, TOV and swellconditions – far superior to MOV onlybased technology.

DEMONSTRATIONCOMPONENTSThe portable test unit is capable ofproviding a 30 cycle voltage swellranging from 0-300V RMS. With the flip of a switch, the test platform cansupply this voltage to an MOV or anMOV in parallel with a Selenium cell.An oscilloscope displays the conductedcurrent of each device during the test. A monitor is attached to the output ofthe oscilloscope for ease of viewing.Current transformers are connected tothe output of both the MOV and Seleniumcell so that conducted current readingscan be displayed on the monitor.

CAPS – CATASTROPHICPROTECTION SYSTEMDEMONSTRATION

Come tour Current Technology’s surge laboratory in Richmond, Virginia – the largest in the United States.For more information, visit our web site at www.currenttechnology.com or call us at 1-800-238-5000.

THE TESTPROCEDUREStandard TestDuring the standardtest (2) 20mm MOVsare randomly selectedfrom a box of MOVs.Each MOVs clampingvoltages are meas-ured by a voltagebreakdown tester.The Variac on the demo unit is adjusted to200V and the MOV is subjected to 30 cyclesat 200V. Typical responses range from no response at all, because the MOV did not conduct, to the MOV conducting up to 5 amps of current. The Variac is thenadjusted to 225V RMS. The response tothis voltage could range from a failure of theMOV to a clamping current up to 19 amps.If the MOV survived 225V the voltage isthen raised to 250V. At 250V the MOV willcatastrophically fail and potentially trip thebreaker to the outlet connected to the CaPSdemo unit. This is a simulated test environ-ment limited by the available fault current of the local breaker connected to the CaPS tester. With unlimited fault currentavailable, MOV only technology will failquicker at lower voltages.

Selenium Test The next test keeps the voltage at250V but brings a Selenium cell inparallel with the MOV. The typicalresponse is that the MOV conducts 0.5 amps while the Selenium cell isnow providing the majority of theprotection, clamping current from 17-25 amps. The voltage is thenraised to 275V with similar results.The MOV is still functional having only conducted 1-3 amps while theSelenium cell conducted 18-30 amps.With the flip of a switch the Seleniumcell is removed from the circuit and the unprotected MOV fails instantlywhen 275V is applied to it.

THE CURRENT TECHNOLOGYADVANTAGE!

KEY TAKE AWAY� A Catastrophic Protection System must protect against transients, TOVs and swells.� The CaPS demonstration shows key protection value of Selenium hybrid technology.� MOV only based technology is at risk to common power quality events.� Current Technology Select2® meets CaPS requirements.