In line with the recently issued 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC), the City of Chicago asserts its code compliance by reorganizing its outdated 1999 Chicago Electrical Code (CEC) to an updated 2018 version. An undertaking that wouldn’t have been possible without the right stakeholders in the industry, painstaking efforts were made by Electrical Commission to keep the code competitive at face value. Essentials from the old version of the code are retained, while 2017 NEC amendments are incorporated to keep the prescribed code at par with global standards.

Some of the noteworthy highlights in the 2018 Chicago Electrical Code include Section 700.26, stating that:

A listed SPD shall be installed in or on all emergency systems switchboards and panelboards.

Even without this code requirement, the electrical industry has long recognized Surge Protection Device (SPD) as a vital electrical equipment. In Article 285, there has been a transitional phrasing from Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor (TVSS) to SPD as the electrical committee has allowed some time for the industry to adjust to the latter terminology.

Noting this change, the load types that we induce to a building’s electrical system vary greatly from what were applied decades ago. With advanced technology rolling around, consumers now deeply depend on electronics, communication devices and even building automation systems. These increased demands on electrical infrastructure supersede the minimal electrical load requirements from before – often resulting in voltage spikes which come from external sources such as lightning strikes or any other electrical faults recurring outside. From the inside, the routine load switching that occur as normal operations can also affect the looming voltage transients.

Although these voltage spikes can happen in as fast as 3 nanoseconds, the results on your bottom line can be deadly and costly – owing to about $26 million annually in equipment repair and loss of time. This is why SPD is now mandated as a code requirement for emergency power systems in Section 700.26 of 2018 Chicago Electrical Code, which clearly references Section 700.8 in 2017 NEC.

Protect your emergency power systems with SPDs.

Emergency Power Systems

As defined under NEC 700.2, “emergency power systems are systems legally required to automatically supply power to designated loads upon loss of normal power.” The intent of this CEC 700.26 is to improve the reliability of emergency power systems by providing continual surge protection when critical power for life safety systems is required. All too often, it has been a wide practice in the electrical industry to install surge protection only at the service entrance – overlooking the fact that surge protection for emergency power distribution network is essential for critical operation.

CEC 700.26 aims to address this issue with surge protection devices in place, eliminating the opportunity for any surge event to compromise the emergency power system. Covered mission-critical facilities and electrical equipment in need of reliable emergency power systems include:

• Healthcare facilities
• Emergency lighting panels
• Emergency communication systems
• High-rise elevators as an accessible means of egress
• Building mechanical operations
• Fire distribution alarm systems
• Safe public egress
• Smoke alarms detectors
• Uninterruptible power supply systems
• Automatic transfer switches

Lack of Performance Benchmark

Despite the enforcement of listed SPD in emergency systems switchboards and panelboards, the code requirement is not as exhaustive with detailed selection guides such as surge current rating and size recommendations for SPD. However, the yardstick for measurement is provided in IEEE Standard 1100: Powering and Grounding of Electronic Equipment, covering all protection modes by stating in Section 8.6.3 that:

In addition to SPDs installed in the service entrance equipment, it is recommended that additional SPDs of listed Category B or Category A, as specified in IEEE Standard C62.41.1 be applied to downstream electrical switchboards and panelboards, and panelboards on the secondary of separately derived systems if they support communications, ITE, signaling, television, or other form of electronic load equipment.

Under IEEE Standard C62.41.2, the location and specifications for SPDs, along with the expected surges within such facility, are further outlined:

Cascade Approach

In the abrupt event that such voltage transient may occur, it can create a permanent conductive path which can cause the destruction of any electrical equipment. For mission-critical facilities which rely heavily on the backup functionality of emergency power systems, to be completely deemed as inoperable is not an acceptable standard.

Here’s the hardwired solution: use the recommended cascade approach for surge protection in the electrical system. Simply start by locating the electrical equipment in place, then layer SPDs from the service entrance down to the distribution panelboards. SPDs – with their parallel placement in connection to the loads – do their job by becoming the path of least resistance when voltage spikes occur. In effect, external lightning strikes might cause the worst damage, but with cascading secondary SPDs in place, these devices can act as a front line of defense from the residual voltages.

UL 1449

CEC 700.26 noted that SPDs should be listed, meaning that the products should be certified by Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and equipped with installation instructions from the manufacturers. In line with the harmonization efforts with IEEE and IEC 61643-1 (International Standard for Surge Protection Devices), UL revised its product standard to third edition by updating its nomenclature and descriptive terminologies for SPDs:

• Type 1 SPD – located on the line side of the service disconnect overcurrent device (main service panel)
• Type 2 SPD – service entrance or branch circuit SPDs connected on the load side of the service disconnect overcurrent device (main service panel)
• Type 3 SPD – point-of-utilization surge receptacles installed anywhere on the load side of branch circuit to equipment, with 10-m minimum conductor length from service panel
• Type 4 SPD – component assemblies comprising of one or more Type 5 components together with an integral or external disconnect, or a means of complying with the limited current tests in UL 1449
• Type 5 SPD – discrete component surge suppressors connected by leads or enclosed with mounting and wiring terminations

Conclusion

SPDs, with cascading levels of protection, stop problems before they start by keeping your emergency power systems safe and operational at all times. Our code-proficient electrical engineers are well-versed in incorporating the nomenclature changes in specifications – giving you the guarantee that your electrical building projects are up-to-date with restrictive code and performance standards.