Why is it important that you be able to install on the "service side" of the main electrical disconnect?

    There are a number of advantages to having the flexibility to install on either side of the main breaker ("service side" or "load side").  The most important reason for installing equipment on the "service side" is that it provides the customer with the maximum protection possible.  Specifically:

1. This protects all of the customer's equipment from the effects of a catastrophic event withi n the capabilities of the surge arrester or suppressor.  Installing anywhere on the "load" side means that anything "north" of that location (in the direction of your Utility supply) is "at risk".
2. When installing within the panel it is most often recommended by other manufacturers to place the suppressor on a breaker.  The limitation to this is basic:

   1. If the suppressor "sees" a catastrophic event it will most likely cause the breaker to trip.  This will remove your protection from the circuit.
   2. The size of the breaker you may install your equipment on is limited by the electrical code.  Why?  The code specifies circuit breaker protection by the size of the wire being installed on it and vice-versa.  In the case of most surge suppressors, this is 14 gauge wiring (our wiring is 12 gauge, low-impedance wiring). This means the size of the breaker is limited to 35 amps (even our conductors would require a breaker no larger than 40 amps).

3. This is somewhat ludicrous when you considering that the suppressor is typically rated at 6,000 amps or more.
4. Installing on a breaker requires that you either have an empty position in which to install a new breaker, a breaker that has no existing wiring installed on it, or a breaker that is rated for "double-lugging".  Most breakers, as a matter of course, are NOT rated for "double-lugging" and you will most likely need to be able to source breakers from a variety of manufacturers that meet this requirement.  It has been our own experience, however, that even if the breaker is rated for "double-lugging" the presence of double-lugged wires serves as a "red-flag" to electrical inspectors, many of which do not fully understand the limitation s in accordance with the Electrical Code.  The Code allows double-lugging only in instances where the terminal is rated for it...many inspectors simply, through knee-jerk response, condemn all installations where they see it.
5. The main terminal lugs are commonly rated for "double-lugging", so there is usually no problem associated with this type of installation, except that you may have to defend the installation against an overzealous inspector.  We can assist our distributors if this is necessary.

 

My manufacturer tells me that UL (Underwriters Laboratories) does not require information to be posted that the National Electrical Code says I must look for...so there is no problem installing the equipment.

    There's no polite way to put this.  If you manufacturer is telling you such things, the best we can determine is that they are either vividly demonstrating incompetence or are attempting to deceive you.

    There is a small kernel of truth in this assertion, and this is characteristic of the best "scams".  Underwriters Laboratories (UL) regulates manufacturers and they tell us what information we must put on our equipment before they will qualify us under their standards or allow us to apply the UL Mark to our product.  UL does not regulate in any way, or make requirements that installers , specifiers, or consumers must abide by.

    The National Electrical Code (NEC) does directly to installers, specifiers, and even consumers. Most municipalities require compliance with the NEC in electrical installations within their jurisdiction.  Many municipalities even have clauses in their ordnances which automatically apply new code changes to what is effectively "the law" as they are published.

    We could sell product that is not qualified for legal installation with virtually no restrictions.  We refuse to do so because it is not in the best interest of our distributors or the consumer...period.

 

My manufacturer tells me the lack of information is a "minor detail" and he is sending me labels to apply to my equipment to correct the problem.  Is this true?

    We have also heard these things from consumers and, frankly, we don't understand how this can be true.  Underwriters Laboratories (UL) requires that we have all labels with their mark approved by them before we're allowed to market a product with the UL Mark.  UL does not qualify equipment "after-the-fact".  Any qualification is valid from that point forward with no "grand-fathering" of equipment that has already been made, much less product that has already been sold.

 

What exactly is "Power Quality"?

    Some distinguished committees have attempted a definition for power quality.  The IEEE Std. 110-1192 group came up with:

"The concept of powering and grounding sensitive electronic equipment in a manner that is suitable to the operation of that equipment"< /p>

    Strictly speaking, power quality began with the area of study devoted to non-ideal voltage waveforms.  Dr. Gerald L. Park (Michigan State) noted in the 1980's that; "Any deviation to the magnitude or frequency of the ideal sinusoidal voltage waveform can be regarded as a power quality disturbance."  Things have become a little more sophisticated in the last few years, as power quality analysts take a closer look at the relationship between even minor voltage anomalies and the current consumption in the load.

    The key for us as electricity professionals is to learn the fundamentals and apply only those solutions which will maximize equipment operation in an economical fashion.  In addition, there will always be some reactive components to power quality problems.  Our goal is to provide improvement without subsequent ill "side-effects".

 

Stedi-Power, Inc
5044 B U Bowman Drive #102
Buford, Georgia 30518
PHONE: (678) 546-6780

Last Updated: 07 Jun 2004
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