Surge Protection Devices

Some significant changes to the regulations for surge protection devices have been announced with amendment 2 of BS7671. Surge protection devices are now a requirement for many electrical installations in both domestic and commercial properties. To help you to understand the changes, and what this means for your property, Electrical Experts Coventry have created a simple guide to surge protection devices and why you need them.

What does a Surge Protection Device do?

A surge protection device (SPD) protects your electrical system from the effects of transient overvoltage, otherwise known as a power surge. This is commonly caused by lightning strikes and causes a sudden rush of power through your electrics. If there is no surge protection in place then fuses, circuits and electrical appliances will all be damaged. This damage can be significant and expensive to repair. A surge protection device absorbs the additional current, preventing further damage.

Prior to the recent amendment, electricians would perform a risk assessment to determine whether a surge protection device was necessary. Single dwellings had a special dispensation and could be excluded from the guidelines. The changes to legislation now mean that regulation 443.4.1 must be considered for every installation, including single dwellings, and the risk assessment process has been removed. As a new technology, SPDs were previously often only installed where required due to costs. However, as availability increased and prices dropped, reputable electricians would install them as standard. If you are unsure if your property has surge protection already in place, you should consult your local electrician. If you are based in Coventry, Electrical Experts experienced electricians will be happy to help.

Where is a Surge Protection Device needed?

Surge protection devices are now a requirement where exposure to transient overvoltage’s may:

• Result in serious injury to, or loss of human life - This requirement remains the same as in the 1^st amendment. A situation where this may apply is if medical equipment is present and could be damaged by a surge.
• Result in failure of a safety service, as defined in part 2 - A surge protection device must now be installed wherever a safety service defined by BS 7671 as: “equipment provided to protect or warn persons in the event of a hazard, or essential to their evacuation from a location” This would include hardwired smoke alarms and emergency lighting. This is a key change for landlords in particular to be aware of.
• Result in significant financial loss or data loss - An SPD is a low-cost device when compared to the electrical devices commonly found in a home. The cost of replacing many of these items after a surge would be high. To protect your equipment an SPD should be installed if the cost of replacing them is higher than the cost of a surge protection device. Although the new regulations do not specify exactly what is classed as a significant loss, this would be the prudent and most common interpretation. You should also check your insurance documents; many insurers will not pay out unless surge protection is in place. Data loss is a major concern to any property with computer equipment, offices and retail environments will certainly need to have an SPD installed. For domestic properties again it will be a case of considering how valuable your data is and how many devices may be affected by a power surge. In these instances, a domestic customer may, under Regulation 443.4.1., sign a waiver declaring they do not want SPDs fitted as the potential loss is deemed to be tolerable and they accept the risk & any consequential loss.

If you are based in Coventry and would like further information about surge protection devices, Electrical Experts friendly electricians will be happy to help. My team and I are highly experienced in all aspects of electrical work and provide our services to landlords, letting agents and homeowners. We are fully qualified and NICEIC registered and are considered Coventry’s go to experts, particularly for landlords. Call my friendly and professional team today.