Introduction
Are SPDs just another upsell, or do they genuinely work? Let’s review data, standards, and real-world cases.
Case Study 1: Lightning Strike at a Residential Building
A lightning bolt struck a neighborhood transformer. Homes without SPDs reported multiple appliance failures. The only house with panel-level SPD remained unaffected.
Case Study 2: Factory Equipment Protection
A manufacturing plant installed Type 1 and 2 SPDs after losing $50,000 in downtime due to surge. After installation, no failures were reported over 3 years.
Case Study 3: Data Center Reliability
A major data center experienced frequent voltage transients. After implementing SPDs with remote monitoring, uptime increased by 99.97%.
Supporting Data
UL 1449 tests simulate real surge conditions to verify SPD performance
Insurance companies now offer premium discounts for SPD-installed buildings
Maintenance Best Practices
Use SPDs with failure indicators
Schedule annual inspections
Replace after major surge events
Conclusion
Surge Protective Devices are a proven and essential defense in any electrical system. With increasing threats from grid instability and extreme weather, installing a certified SPD is an investment in protection, continuity, and peace of mind.
