DBs, SOCKETS, SWITCHES & PROTECTION
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What the local insurance industry gets wrong about surge protection By: Dr Andrew Dickson, engineering executive at CBi-electric: low voltage M eeting insurer requirements doesn’t necessarily guarantee that South Africans are sufficiently protected case, or exposure level. This blanket approach may fall short of protecting the very assets these policies are designed to cover. What insurers require vs what properties need
Each class serves a different purpose, and the best protection often involves a layered approach. Tailoring the solution to the property’s risk profile is essential. The truth about 40 kA ratings While the SPD class defines the type of surges the device is designed to handle, the kA rating is another piece of the protection puzzle. This rating indicates the maximum current the device can divert in a single event. Insurers often specify a 40 kA rating, based on the belief that higher ratings equate to better protection. But that’s not always true. It’s like using a 10-pound hammer to drive in a 10 mm nail: it might work, but it’s excessive and inefficient. In practice, what matters more is how the SPD performs under repeated smaller surges – the kind that happen most often and result in cumulative wear. Devices degrade over time, regardless of their kA rating. That’s why the joule rating, which indicates how much total energy the SPD can absorb, is an important guide to long-term protection. Both values – the kA rating and the joule rating – should be considered together when specifying SPD requirements for an installation. This ensures a more holistic approach to surge protection and means more effective, practical policy guidelines from insurers. Moving beyond compliance to genuine protection It’s encouraging that insurers are starting to mandate SPDs, but these recommendations must go further. Relying
against power surges. In a country where lightning strikes, loadshedding, and grid instability are everyday occurrences, this oversight could have costly consequences for both parties. Insurers are increasingly requiring surge protection devices (SPDs) for property owners. However, do these requirements genuinely safeguard policyholders and their assets, or are they simply fulfilling a compliance obligation without offering meaningful protection against real-world electrical threats? intensity. Some are dramatic, like those caused by direct lightning strikes. Others are smaller but equally damaging, such as switching transients triggered when power is lost and restored during loadshedding, or by everyday fluctuations caused by short circuits and other electrical faults. These surges behave differently and pose unique risks. Yet many insurance policies recommend a one-size-fits-all approach to protection – typically requiring the same type of SPD regardless of a property’s location, use Not all surges are the same Electrical surges vary in origin and
While insurers have some alignment with the national wiring code by mandating Class 2 SPDs for low-voltage installations, their insistence on higher kA ratings reflects a misconception that higher peak values are a silver bullet in providing effective protection, which is not necessarily the case. For reference, there are three classes of SPDs, namely 1, 2, and 3. Class 1 SPDs are designed to handle extreme surges from direct lightning strikes and are typically installed where power enters a premises or building. They act as the first line of defence, intercepting high-energy surges before they can enter the internal electrical distribution system. These devices are also typically used in remote areas, locations at high risk of direct lightning strikes on incoming services, or where there’s a threat of explosions or damage to sensitive equipment. More common in domestic settings, Class 2 devices offer protection from smaller surges associated with indirect lightning strikes or switching transients in urban areas. Class 3 protectors provide localised protection for sensitive electronics like televisions, routers, or gaming systems and are located at the point of consumption.
solely on class and kA rating without considering real-world electrical threats can leave gaps in protection or provide a false sense of security. National standards for protecting people, structures, and devices are well established and clearly outline how protection should be correctly applied. However, a “sledgehammer approach”, where protection is applied in a broad or excessive manner, does not guarantee the intended level of safety. As a result, the actual protection may fall short of expectations. This leaves insurers vulnerable to claims, despite having enforced requirements, and questioning why the anticipated risk mitigation hasn’t materialised. By engaging electrical engineers and applying the national standards, insurers can ensure that surge protection is not just a tick-box exercise – but a robust defence against electrical damage. The ultimate objective should be to protect people, property, and productivity with solutions grounded in both science and context, rather than merely fulfilling an underwriting requirement.
Enquiries: https://cbi-lowvoltage.co.za
Circuit breakers for reliable, compliant protection
to prevent accidental contact. Clear contact position indicators, secure label holders and full compatibility with auxiliaries allow quick installation and uncomplicated integration into distribution boards and energy management systems. Typical applications are in data centres, commercial buildings and renewable energy systems, the specialist said.” The DX³ range is also classified for high current-limiting performance. By interrupting fault currents before they reach their peak value, these breakers significantly reduce the thermal and mechanical stresses imposed on conductors and connected equipment. This critical feature not only protects downstream devices but also extends the service life of the overall installation. DX³ circuit breakers are compliant with IEC 60898-1 and IEC 60947-2 specifications and are suitable for use in environments from residential distribution boards to industrial panels requiring higher short-circuit capacities. These devices have insulation voltages up to 500 V and are tested to stringent endurance requirements, ensuring reliable performance throughout their service life. Legrand’s DX³ circuit breakers are available in single-pole to four-pole versions and can be installed in both alternating and direct current systems. The design also facilitates multipole series connection for higher DC voltages, which is an important consideration in photovoltaic and battery storage applications. By combining robust electrical performance with advanced technology and practical design features, the DX³ range ensures safer, more efficient power distribution in diverse installations.
Legrand’s low-voltage power distribution portfolio encompasses the DX³ range of miniature circuit breakers, designed to deliver dependable protection in residential, commercial, and industrial installations. The range covers ratings from 1 A to 125 A, with breaking capacities up to 50 kA, making this system suitable for installations where performance and safety compliance are essential. The DX³ range provides a wide selection of tripping curves – from B- and C-types for resistive and general-purpose loads, to D- and Z-types for inductive or sensitive equipment. This flexibility allows installers and designers to match breaker characteristics precisely to system requirements, improving selectivity and operational reliability. These devices combine thermal and magnetic trip mechanisms: the thermal element ensures reliable response to prolonged overloads, while the magnetic element provides instantaneous disconnection in the event of a short-circuit. According to Legrand specialists, “As electrical installations advance to include more sensitive equipment and higher energy densities, it is increasingly important that protection devices meet stringent standards and are easy to specify and install. DX³ circuit breakers are engineered to safely handle high fault levels and to perform consistently in both AC and DC systems. This range, with rated operational voltages up to 230/400 V AC and dedicated DC configurations for solar and battery applications, offers safety compliance and long-term reliability.” “Installers value many features of the DX³ range, including those that enhance safe operation. Wide connection reinforced terminals with compensating clamps reduce the risk of overheating from loose connections and retractable insulating shields are designed
Enquiries: www.legrand.co.za
SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS
DECEMBER 2025
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