Comprehensive and cost-effective surge protection solutions 
(18/12/2007)
With the latest additions to its range of surge protection products, Merlin Gerin, a brand of Schneider Electric, is now able to offer comprehensive and cost-effective surge protection solutions for virtually every industrial and commercial application.
The additions to the range include PRF1 master surge arresters, PRD drawout surge arresters and PF fixed surge arresters. Designed for use in buildings which are protected by lightning rods or fed from overhead lines, the new PRF1 master surge arresters are Type 1 devices which provide protection against the effects of direct lightning strikes. These compact units are easy to install, and are used in conjunction with an upstream fuse or circuit breaker.
For use in Type 2 applications where protection is needed against the indirect effects of lightning strikes, type PRD draw-out surge arresters provide a versatile solution, and can be supplied with rated discharge currents as high as 260kA. They are available in versions for use in high, medium and low-risk situations, and also for providing secondary protection in circuits where primary surge protection is already provided by another device.
All models in the PRD range have withdrawable cartridges that can easily be replaced when they reach the end of their service life. Local indication of cartridge condition is provided as standard, with remote condition indication available as an option.
Similar Type 2 functionality is provided by PF fixed surge arresters which, however, do not have a withdrawable cartridge facility. These types are especially well suited for use with TT, TN-S and IT earthing systems. The new models are complemented by the existing Merlin Gerin PRC and PRI surge arresters which are designed to protect telecommunications and computer installations against voltage transients which are propagated through network connections.
Surge arresters may be installed in any of the Merlin Gerin ranges of distribution equipment or simply mounted in an individual enclosure at the incoming part of the installation.
Related categories: Circuit breakers MCB, MCCB, ACB Industrial Industrial circuit protection Office and commercial Tools and installation equipment
