Assuring earthing and lightning protection with Dehn products and solutions

“Dehn India’s 10/350-tested lightning protection components by IEC 62561 ensure a secure lightning protection system for any infrastructure.” – Brijesh Malik, Vice President, Dehn India (P) Limited. In an interview with EPR Magazine.

Discussing the significance of the installation of earthing and lightning protection systems, Brijesh Malik walks us through the available products and technologies for safe earthing and their certification standards.

How are earthing and lighting protection evolving with the ongoing changes in the power sector?
The increased use of electronics, dependence on them, and rising power densities of equipment have made the power sector more reliant on renewable energy sources, including solar and wind. Therefore, expertly designed earthing and lightning protection systems are increasingly crucial for protecting site equipment and personnel.

How are these systems and devices enabling power providers to maintain the efficient functioning of power systems in critical environments?
According to IS/IEC 62305 and IS 3043, comprehensive lightning protection and earthing systems guarantee power providers’ 24-7 uptime and the effective operation of power systems without any interruptions or damage caused by lightning (10/350 sec) and switching surges (8/20 sec).

What are the parameters to maintain performance efficiency in these systems and devices?
A secure lightning protection system for any infrastructure is ensured by 10/350-tested lightning protection components in compliance with IEC 62561.

The performance of any surge protection device is defined by the combination of zero leakage current, low throughput energy of less than 1 joule, and high lightning impulse current discharge capabilities up to 100 KA (SPD).

What are the latest products and solutions available in this segment? And what are your offerings?
State-of-the-art Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) for protection of 230/400 V AC power supply systems against lightning and switching surges are encapsulated Spark Gap-based technology for fire-safe operation at the site and tested for Type 1 (10/350) and Type 2 (8/20) by international independent test agencies like KEMA, VDE, or UL.

What are the market trends in surge protection devices?
More use of Type 1-based Surge Protection Devices for Main’s LT/Meter Panel level with higher short-circuit ratings up to 65/100KArms, coordinating with Main’s Switchgear ratings.
Type 1 SPDs for signal and data lines, PV Inverters (String/Central) and SMB boxes.
How does SPD minimise over-voltage surge instances in electrical/power systems?
The Type 1 & 2 SPDs in the electrical/power system ensure the safety and protection of downstream equipment against lightning (10/350sec) and switching surges (8/20sec). A surge protection device once installed in an electrical system further ensures the safe discharge of lightning and surge current to the ground. It further improves the power system’s uptime and its availability.

What are your latest and key offerings in this segment?
DEHN India provides metal-encapsulated Spark Gap-based Type 1 SPD for 230/400 V AC power supplies, as well as an inbuilt fuse for safe disconnection during a fault condition and short-circuits extinction capabilities of up to 100KArms.

Low voltage Type-2 SPDs are leakage current solutions with a spark gap and MOV combination for longer life. It has a surge discharge capability of up to 80 kVA. It offers a low voltage protection level of up to 1.5KV to protect terminal/downstream equipment.

These products are appropriate for higher transformer ratings of up to 5MVA, a low voltage protection level of up to 1.5KV to protect terminal/downstream equipment, a local flag base and remote indication for continuous health monitoring, and a KEMA-tested solution.