Frequently Asked Question

Last Updated 5 years ago

UPS is successfully protecting against many network problems like for example overvoltages or power outages. Unfortunately, surge protection is not main design feature of the UPS, but only a secondary function. Each such a device is only able to reduce the impact of a surge caused by a lightning. In case the full energy of the lightning is applied to the UPS, there is no chance to protect your equipment. If the building does not have any surge protector, the UPS does not guarantee protection, but it can successfully reduce the damage to your equipment.

Furthermore, surge protection bases on absorption of the energy by a varistor. The varistor is worn out after absorbing big number of small surges or small number of big surges. Only dedicated surge suppressor has a LED informing if the varistor is not yet worn out and effectively the protection is active. Unfortunately UPS does not offer it, so it is not recommended relying on UPS's surge protection.

We recommend protecting UPS with sensitive loads with a surge protector.
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More info:
Here are links to websites which explain the whole topic very detailed: http://stormhighway.com/surge_protectors_ups_lightning_protection_myth.php
http://www.wikihow.com/Protect-a-PC-in-a-Thunderstorm

SPD is connected in parallel to the to the loads, it will redirect the current to the ground and limit the voltage to the value that can be handled by loads.

SPD Type 1 is installed in industrial buildings or transformer station to protect against lightning.
SPD Type 2 is installed in electrical installations (in each switchboard) to protect against overvoltages (i.e. switching)
SPD Type 3 is installed in the vicinity of sensitive loads to protect against switching impulses or electrostatic discharges.
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Definitions:
TVSS - Transient Voltage Surge Surpressor
SPD - Surge Protection Device
Varistor - main element of surge protection, its parameters are critical to performance of the surge protection
MOV - Metal-Oxide Varistor - the most common type of varistor used in surge protection