Currently, the electrical network in Latin America presents fluctuations or failures in the adequate and balanced supply of electrical service. Electrical failures, in addition to being unsafe for human life, represent a constant danger for electrical equipment that is connected to the network.
Considering the investment that people make for the purchase and maintenance of essential equipment, such as refrigerators, lighting, televisions, radios, air conditioners, among others; Voltage protectors become a useful ally to face these problems.To help you learn more about current or voltage protectors, and how to choose the best model for your home or business, here is everything you need to know.
What is a voltage protector?
A voltage surge suppressor or protector is an element that is responsible for the electrical protection of the equipment it is supervising. Its function is to block and send to ground voltage surges that are above the appropriate values for the operation of the equipment, and thus protect it from damage.
There are different types of current protectors, but their qualities are common to each other. For example, individual protectors (which protect one piece of equipment at a time) have different capacities, depending on the device that requires it.
On the other hand, we have integral voltage protectors. These protect all equipment connected to the electrical network, whether domestic, commercial or industrial.
It is essential in every home, since if any appliance must be disconnected, the user can go directly to the energy source, in this case the breaker.
What is a voltage protector for?
As its name indicates, its main task is to detect sudden voltage surges and isolate connected equipment immediately, sending the charges to ground and eliminating the danger.
In addition to this, the current protector includes a reconnection time that can be adjustable. This occurs in order to protect equipment that uses motors that must be cooled before restarting, such as refrigerator compressors or air conditioners.
The functionality of voltage protectors depends on the space in which it will be used. For residential use, it is advisable to use an individual protector for each of the equipment, in order of priority. You can also opt for integral protectors, which provide general protection for all household appliances.
In the case of businesses or industries, the use of protectors that operate comprehensively is recommended. Some companies or businesses use equipment that works 24 hours a day, or that simply should not be disconnected for a long time. These devices are susceptible to unstable current impacts, which could cause severe damage and affect their productivity.
Additionally, purchasing individual voltage protectors for all of your machines could be extremely expensive and still not have the necessary safeguarding capacity.
Which voltage protector should I choose?
The correct selection of voltage protector depends mainly on the user's need and context. If you need to protect an air conditioning unit that works on the 220v phase, you must choose a voltage protector with this capacity. If you want to protect a television or a refrigerator, you need a protector that works in the 110v phase, which is the power line that these devices usually have.
If you are looking for comprehensive protection of all equipment connected to the network, you can opt for comprehensive voltage protectors. These are responsible for preventing all equipment connected to the power in your home, business or industry from being damaged by overvoltage. They are located in the main electrical panel to offer total shielding.
How to install a voltage protector?
The correct installation depends on the capacity it handles. There are protectors for the 110v phase, some for the 220v phase, some that handle both 110v/220v phases, and others that are designed to work on three phases. There are also general voltage protectors.
For the installation of individual models that work in simple phases, the first step is to identify the phase in which the equipment works, then make sure that the power source corresponds to this phase. For example, if you connect a protector with a 220v phase to a 110v power source, the equipment will not turn on.
In the case of three-phase protectors or integral voltage protectors, it is recommended to have specialists who can diagnose the particular needs of your home, business or industry, to find the equipment that provides ideal protection and have a safe and reliable installation. . If you have questions or want more information, at CompuHome VE we are willing to answer all your questions.
