Surge and arc-induced insulation breakdown can be very serious problems in electrical systems. Surge and arc are electrical overloads or sudden voltage fluctuations that can cause insulation breakdown, resulting in equipment failure, fire, and personal injury. Below is a summary of the main concepts and causes of surge and arc-induced insulation breakdown, as well as ways to prevent them.
1. Insulation breakdown due to surge
Surges are usually caused by lightning, switching of large electrical equipment, or sudden voltage fluctuations, which can cause high voltage stress on electrical systems and lead to insulation breakdown. The main characteristics of insulation breakdown due to surges are as follows:
Sudden voltage surges: Surge voltages significantly exceed the normal operating voltage, pushing the insulation beyond its withstanding limits. This can accelerate the deterioration of the insulation or even cause its immediate destruction.
Fatigue accumulation: Repeated surge exposure causes fatigue accumulation in the insulation, which gradually reduces insulation performance and leads to failure.
Prevention: Surges can be prevented by installing a surge protector (SPD) to suppress them and recording and analyzing surge occurrence data through a surge black box in the electrical system.
2. Insulation breakdown due to arc
An arc is a strong electrical discharge that forms in air in an electrical system, which produces very high temperatures and electromagnetic energy. An arc can occur on the surface of an insulator or in air, and can weaken or destroy the structure of the insulator.
Insulation breakdown due to high temperature: When an arc occurs, temperatures can reach thousands of degrees, which causes the insulating material to carbonize or melt, resulting in loss of insulation performance.
Deterioration of the insulating surface: Repeated arc discharges continue to damage the surface of the insulating material, causing it to lose its insulating function.
Prevention: Install arc flash protection equipment in areas where arcing is likely to occur, and manage deterioration through regular insulation inspection and maintenance.
3. Main prevention methods for insulation breakdown caused by surges and arcs
Install a surge protector (SPD): This protects your equipment from overload by blocking overvoltages caused by surges.
Insulation Inspection and Deterioration Analysis: Periodic inspections and insulation condition diagnosis can help you identify deterioration and take preventive measures.
Static electricity management: Especially in industrial settings, there is a high risk of surges and arcs caused by static electricity, so install anti-static devices or strengthen the grounding system to improve safety.
Temperature and voltage monitoring: Monitor the temperature and voltage status of electrical equipment in real time, allowing for immediate response when overload and abnormal voltage fluctuations occur.
Insulation breakdown due to surges and arcs can be prevented by taking preventive measures to reduce the possibility of accidents, and in particular, the installation and periodic inspection of surge and arc discharge equipment are key to maintaining the stability of equipment and facilities.