Surge Protection
for popular distribution board range

Transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS) devices are now available as ready-to-install contractor kits for installation on the popular Memshield 2 MCB distribution boards from Eaton MEM Circuit Protection and Control. They offer a straightforward and cost-effective way to protect final electrical circuits in commercial and industrial premises against high voltage spikes and surges which might damage computers and other sensitive equipment.

Two kits are available, one for Type A (single-phase) Memshield 2 MCB boards and the other for Type B (three-phase) boards. Both TVSS devices offer an 8OkA per phase peak surge current capability, both incorporate MEM's multi-stage Active Response Network technology and both carry a 10-year warranty.

The Memshield 2 TVSS units are designed for mounting on the side of the Memshield 2 distribution board and come complete with the appropriate miniature circuit-breaker and full installation instructions.

They provide full-mode protection against high energy transients from line-to-line, line-to-neutral, line-to-earth or neutral-to-earth. In addition, the Active Response Network tracks the line-to-neutral waveform and limits the instantaneous voltage at any polarity or phase angle. This ensures optimum suppression of internal switching generated ring wave transients - by far the most common occurrence in any commercial or industrial environment.

Memshield 2 TVSS devices employ an electrochemical encapsulation system which acts as a heat sink for energy generated by transients; this reduces the thermal stress on circuit components, ensuring longer life. As a result MEM is able to offer a 10-year free replacement warranty for the TVSS units.

The new Memshield 2 TVSS units form part of the MEM Protector range. This offers a comprehensive selection of high quality TVSS devices for installation at the main switchboard (Category C locations), sub-distribution boards (Category B), final distribution boards and point of use (Category A). The MEM System Shield concept makes use of these products in a facility-wide programme of protection against transients originating from outside or inside the premises.

The new units are suitable for Category A and B locations. The lP23 steel enclosure is finished to match the Memshield 2 distribution boards. It has a threaded conduit fitting and multi-point mounting feet. LED's indicate the operational status.

The inclusion of an MCB ensures best practice by providing for isolation and protection of the TVSS unit; it also offers easy connection to the supply. The instructions indicate how to mount the TVSS unit on the side of the board so that the connections to the MCB and the earth and neutral bars are kept to a minimum, as required for optimum surge suppression performance.

"The precise nature of the loads that will be connected to the final circuit is frequently unknown when designing electrical installations for modern buildings, especially speculative offices" says Richard Molloy, TVSS Business Development Manager with MEM Circuit Protection and Control. "However, it is almost certain that loads will include computers and other sensitive equipment. The new Memshield 2 TVSS units offer a cost-effective and contractor-friendly way of ensuring high levels of protection for all but the most mission-critical loads."