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AMMJ Surge Protection Devices 21<br />

to the nominal voltage and other reflected waves. The SPD will aid in reducing the voltage peaks of the reflected<br />

waves. More importantly, if the connection between the drive and the motor extends outdoors, along a path that<br />

is exposed to the environment or close to the building’s steel structure, protection at this location is important to<br />

diminish the effects of direct lightning or induced voltage surges due to nearby lightning. These surges can cause<br />

damage to the drive, even if protection is provided at the motor input. At this location, a parallel connected, voltage<br />

responsive circuitry device is appropriate (one without frequency responsive circuitry). Frequency responsive<br />

circuitry is not recommended for this location due to the high harmonic content of the signal due to the normal<br />

operation of the drive. Installation of frequency responsive circuitry devices at this location will lead to failure of the<br />

SPD. Utilizing a voltage responsive circuitry device at this location will eliminate this possibility.<br />

5. Motor Input.<br />

Protecting the motor input is an essential step in protecting the drive system. Providing protection at this location<br />

prevents surge damage due to events propagated from the drive output to the motor input. Providing protection<br />

at this location aids in extending the life of the motor as the SPD helps to prevent damage to the windings and<br />

bearings of the motor due to surges. Further, if the connection between the drive and the motor extends outdoors,<br />

along a path that is exposed to the environment or close to the building’s steel structure, protection at this location<br />

is important to diminish the effects of direct lightning or induced voltage surges due to nearby lightning. These<br />

surges can cause damage to the motor, even if protection is provided at the drive output.At this location, a parallel<br />

connected, a voltage responsive circuitry device is appropriate (one without frequency responsive circuitry).<br />

Frequency responsive circuitry is not recommended for this location due to the high harmonic content of the signal<br />

due to the normal operation of the drive. Installation of frequency responsive circuitry devices at this location<br />

will lead to failure of the SPD. Utilizing a voltage responsive circuitry device at this location will eliminate this<br />

possibility.<br />

Overall, properly installed surge protective devices reduce the magnitude of random, high energy, short<br />

duration electrical power anomalies. These occurrences are typically caused by atmospheric phenomena<br />

(such as lightning strikes), utility switching, inductive loads, and internally generated overvoltages. The<br />

ultimate goal of our approach is to keep sites and systems operating safely and reliably. PowerTrip®<br />

Surge Protection Devices incorporate “Frequency Responsive Circuitry” technology years ahead of any<br />

other devices on the market today. Utilizing proprietary electro-chemical encapsulation, PowerTrip® SPDs<br />

dissipate large amounts of surge energy to prolong service life.<br />

Signing the order was easy...<br />

Greg wondered why he had taken so long to get outside assistance. Perhaps it was the fact that<br />

Maintenance consultants seemed to have a bad reputation – “Borrow your watch to tell you the time – then<br />

sell you your watch”. Perhaps it was because they had a reputation for charging exorbitant fees. Perhaps<br />

there was a little bit of pride involved – “It is my job to make this plant safe, efficient and reliable, and I am<br />

going to do it – myself!”<br />

But finally he had to admit that the challenges he faced were too great for any one person to deal with on<br />

their own, and he had contacted Assetivity. It’s amazing how a series of equipment failures (including a<br />

catastrophic conveyor pulley shaft failure that had caused a major safety incident and significant downtime)<br />

can focus the mind, he thought, wryly.<br />

At the initial meeting with the senior Assetivity consultant, Greg had been impressed by the way in which<br />

his problems and issues had been listened to, considered, and absorbed. He had liked the way that, in the<br />

course of their discussion, they had together been able to give focus to the complex network of issues and<br />

opportunities that he faced, and put these in perspective. He been attracted to the down-to-earth and<br />

practical discussion regarding implementation issues. And he was impressed by the focus on developing<br />

and implementing solutions, rather than on selling specific products, tools or methodologies.<br />

It had become clear, in the course of their discussion, that there was an urgent need to “get back to the<br />

basics” – to ensure that the current Preventive Maintenance program was appropriate, and was being properly executed at shop floor level, and that failures<br />

were being prevented, and the causes of those failures eliminated. They had agreed that the first step was to conduct a quick diagnostic review, focusing on<br />

these areas, in order to develop a plan of action. Getting authorisation from the Plant Manager had been surprisingly easy, and Greg was signing the Purchase<br />

Order for this review now. So far, it had been smooth sailing, but Greg knew that the real challenges lay ahead. But, with the involvement of Assetivity, he had<br />

confidence that they were on the right track.<br />

More than availability and reliability...<br />

Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne<br />

Ph +61 8 9474 4044<br />

www.assetivity.com.au<br />

Asset Management Consultants

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