In an efficient and comprehensive surge protection concept, the first factor to consider is the power supply itself. It's not just storms that pose dangers! Fortunately, surges caused by direct or distant lightning strikes are rare. More common and severe dangers come from switching operations. Whether it's large equipment or kitchen appliances, the consequences of switching operations can be equally devastating. In all these scenarios, surges can couple into the power supply network.

Efficient, multi-level protection can be created using lightning protection devices, surge protectors, and equipment protection measures. These protection devices utilize high-power components such as spark gaps or varistors. Protection devices are typically installed at the main distribution board, sub-distribution boards, and before the power connection points of terminal equipment.

Therefore, it is recommended to adopt multi-level protection for the power supply to meet its requirements and technical conditions. One thing is certain—without effective surge protection, the cost of equipment repair or replacement can be high.

PHOENIX CONTACT power surge protectors are meticulously manufactured in accordance with standards such as VDE0675, EN61643-1, and IEC61643-1. All products undergo strict quality requirements and are monitored globally by quality supervision agencies like UL, CSA, KEMA, and VE to ensure consistent top-tier quality!

According to regulations, they primarily protect low-voltage power systems below 1000V by diverting surge currents and limiting potential overvoltages caused by lightning strikes, switching overvoltages, electrostatic discharges, and other electromagnetic interferences, thereby achieving surge protection for power equipment.

Phoenix Contact strongly recommends adopting multi-level protection.
Level 1:
Installation point—Main distribution board.
Recommended protection modules:
Compact FLASHTRAB or FLASHTRAB 

Level 2:
Installation point—Sub-distribution board.
Recommended protection modules:
Compact VALVETRAB or VALVETRAB

Level 3:
Installation point—Before the equipment.
Recommended protection modules:
MAINTRAB, BT-SKT..., or similar products

Traditional PHOENIX CONTACT power surge protectors are divided into three main categories:

Power Class I: Primarily installed in the main distribution cabinet (panel) at the entry point of power lines; discharges lightning surge currents; tested with 10/350μs simulated impulse. PHOENIX CONTACT is the global technology leader in this category. From 1980 to 2003, our scientists advanced gap discharge technology through 7 generations, reducing the protection level from an initial 4KV to 900V, minimizing the decoupling distance to 0 meters, and preventing "blind spots" in energy coordination, making the greatest contribution to the development of discharge gap technology.

Power Class II: Primarily installed in sub-distribution cabinets (panels) within buildings; discharges limited lightning surge currents and most switching surges; tested with 8/20μs simulated impulse. These products mainly use zinc oxide devices. PHOENIX CONTACT leads in self-safety protection for these products: features include aging-resistant short-circuit self-disconnection, remote signaling, anti-misinsertion, shock protection, hot-swappable functionality, and tool-free bridging, among others.

Power Class III: Primarily installed before equipment requiring special protection within buildings; discharges limited switching surge currents and various induced surges; tested with 1.2/50μs and 8/20μs simulated impulses. These products are specially designed by PHOENIX CONTACT for sensitive equipment in factory automation, office automation, and other systems, offering unparalleled technical advantages: automatic grounding, aging-resistant short-circuit self-disconnection, remote signaling, anti-misinsertion, shock protection, hot-swappable functionality, and more.

The new product lines, Compact FLASHTRAB and Compact VALVETRAB, offer a range of advantages. In addition to convenient and space-saving installation, the Compact FLASHTRAB protector incorporates AEC technology (Active Energy Control). Lightning current protectors and surge protectors automatically trigger during overvoltage events without the need for decoupling inductors. Thus, sub-distribution boards do not require VALVETRAB protectors.

For systems not directly exposed to lightning strikes, a 2-level protection system with Compact VALVETRAB protectors and equipment protection is sufficient.