The outlook for surge protection devices (SPDs) in the Korean market continues to grow.
The market size was valued at USD 3.16 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to USD 3.36 billion by 2024. It is projected to reach USD 4.9 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.45%.
This is because the market is expanding due to factors such as increased incidence of lightning and voltage fluctuations, advancement of industrialization, and strengthening of electrical safety regulations.
The SPD external separator complements the protection function inside the SPD and is mandatory to install, especially for CT2 type SPDs. The Korean Industrial Standard (KS C IEC 61643-11) comprehensively describes the regulations for SPD protective devices.
Differences between circuit breakers (MCCB, RCCB) and fuse blocks and switches applied/recommended in Europe and the United States include differences in technical approaches and standard specifications.
When surge current flows in, the general external isolator must have the tolerance to not operate, and when surge protection device SPD replacement is required while online, it must be possible to replace it after powering off.
Some domestic external isolators are designed to protect the system by powering off when leakage current increases. Products that use MOV + fusing technology to strengthen the internal protection function of SPDs have been released and their stability is confirmed through thermal stability tests in KS 61643-11.
On the other hand, some SPD external isolators in Korea operate in a way that provides additional protection externally when the SPD's internal protection function is insufficient.
In other words, in the Korean market, SPD external protection devices are recognized as essential elements, but the global trend is developing in the direction of strengthening the protection function of the SPD itself. These differences are determined by the power system structure and regulatory environment of each country, and in the Korean market, there is also a negative view on the necessity of special external protection devices for SPDs.
It is expected that more sophisticated protection systems will be developed in the future as IoT-based real-time monitoring technology is incorporated.