Implementing Surge Protection in Your Building: A Business Owner's Guide
 
Electrical surges can cause extensive damage to equipment and increase the risk of electrical fires. To mitigate damage from electrical transients, you should install surge protection devices. Surge protection makes business sense, too, as repairing or replacing damaged equipment can cost you thousands of dollars, not to mention the disruption it causes to your business activities.

If you are considering implementing surge protection in your building, here's a quick rundown of what to expect.

Grounding

The first step to install surge protection on a building is to evaluate the facility's grounding, which is the manner in which the non-current parts of outlets and equipment in the building are connected to the ground to discharge electrical energy safely. Proper grounding is important to ensure that surge protection devices work accurately to safeguard your equipment.

Your electrical contractor will check that your building complies with standard grounding requirements. They will also check whether the size of the wires and the grounding connections meet the requirements for safe installation of surge protection devices. Lastly, the contractor will recommend any actions that need to be taken to bring the facility's grounding system to par with standard grounding requirements.

Zoning

Electrical surges can come from outside or inside your business facility. As such, your electrical contractor must install surge protective devices strategically throughout your facility to ensure comprehensive protection against electrical transients.

Prior to installing surge protection devices, the contractor will divide your facility into different zones of protection.

Zone 1

Surge protection devices in the first zone are usually installed on the electrical service equipment. These devices protect against external sources of power surges, such as those caused by fluctuations in power supply from the utility company or from lightning. The devices minimize the amount of surge entering the building while directing the excessive current to the ground.

Zone 2

Your contractor will install surge protection devices in the second zone to protect equipment against internally generated surges. These devices are typically installed on the building's distribution wires, which supply electricity to important equipment.

Zone 3

Finally, zone three is the lowest installation area. The contractor will install surge protection devices on critical equipment, including computers. The surge protection devices installed in the first and second zone significantly minimize the surges that reach the electric outlets in zone three, therefore protecting sensitive equipment from intense external or internal transients.

Cost

The cost of installing facility surge protection will vary from one contractor to the other. However, several factors can affect the overall price.

For instance, complex building designs and heavy equipment on the rooftop can complicate implementation and result in higher installation costs. At the same time, taller buildings may require extensive zoning and additional surge protection devices, which can add to the overall cost of installation.

Industrial buildings that house special equipment or sensitive content may also require advanced protection systems, which typically cost more than surge protection systems used in standard commercial facilities such as offices, single-story buildings or condominiums. To manage costs, a professional contractor will recommend specific surge protection systems best suited for your facility's application.

Keeping surge protection levels consistent with the actual needs of your business can ensure that installation costs remain reasonable.

Proper installation of surge protection devices is crucial. Find a qualified commercial electrician to design the protection levels in your facility and to implement a surge protection system that will fully protect your valuable equipment.

At Circle electric Inc., we understand commercial electrical systems all too well. Our professional and experienced electricians can help you protect your facility and your bottom line from disruptive electrical surges. Get in touch with us today for quick, efficient, and affordable services.



 
Electrical surges can cause extensive damage to equipment and increase the risk of electrical fires. To mitigate damage from electrical transients, you should install surge protection devices. Surge protection makes business sense, too, as repairing or replacing damaged equipment can cost you thousands of dollars, not to mention the disruption it causes to your business activities.

If you are considering implementing surge protection in your building, here's a quick rundown of what to expect.

Grounding

The first step to install surge protection on a building is to evaluate the facility's grounding, which is the manner in which the non-current parts of outlets and equipment in the building are connected to the ground to discharge electrical energy safely. Proper grounding is important to ensure that surge protection devices work accurately to safeguard your equipment.

Your electrical contractor will check that your building complies with standard grounding requirements. They will also check whether the size of the wires and the grounding connections meet the requirements for safe installation of surge protection devices. Lastly, the contractor will recommend any actions that need to be taken to bring the facility's grounding system to par with standard grounding requirements.

Zoning

Electrical surges can come from outside or inside your business facility. As such, your electrical contractor must install surge protective devices strategically throughout your facility to ensure comprehensive protection against electrical transients.

Prior to installing surge protection devices, the contractor will divide your facility into different zones of protection.

Zone 1

Surge protection devices in the first zone are usually installed on the electrical service equipment. These devices protect against external sources of power surges, such as those caused by fluctuations in power supply from the utility company or from lightning. The devices minimize the amount of surge entering the building while directing the excessive current to the ground.

Zone 2

Your contractor will install surge protection devices in the second zone to protect equipment against internally generated surges. These devices are typically installed on the building's distribution wires, which supply electricity to important equipment.

Zone 3

Finally, zone three is the lowest installation area. The contractor will install surge protection devices on critical equipment, including computers. The surge protection devices installed in the first and second zone significantly minimize the surges that reach the electric outlets in zone three, therefore protecting sensitive equipment from intense external or internal transients.

Cost

The cost of installing facility surge protection will vary from one contractor to the other. However, several factors can affect the overall price.

For instance, complex building designs and heavy equipment on the rooftop can complicate implementation and result in higher installation costs. At the same time, taller buildings may require extensive zoning and additional surge protection devices, which can add to the overall cost of installation.

Industrial buildings that house special equipment or sensitive content may also require advanced protection systems, which typically cost more than surge protection systems used in standard commercial facilities such as offices, single-story buildings or condominiums. To manage costs, a professional contractor will recommend specific surge protection systems best suited for your facility's application.

Keeping surge protection levels consistent with the actual needs of your business can ensure that installation costs remain reasonable.

Proper installation of surge protection devices is crucial. Find a qualified commercial electrician to design the protection levels in your facility and to implement a surge protection system that will fully protect your valuable equipment.

At Circle electric Inc., we understand commercial electrical systems all too well. Our professional and experienced electricians can help you protect your facility and your bottom line from disruptive electrical surges. Get in touch with us today for quick, efficient, and affordable services.