620.51 (E) Surge Protection. (Elevators)
Where any of the disconnecting means in 620.51 has been designated as supplying an emergency system load, surge protection shall be provided.
Reasons for Changes:
This article was added to address emergency system loads such as elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, chairlifts and associated equipment. From 2013 to 2014 NFPA sponsored a survey to determine the damaging effects of voltage surges in various applications. 24% of responders to the survey reported damage to elevator circuits from voltage surges. Surge Protection is not solely designed to protect against lighting but also surges that are created by other equipment within a facility.
How to Comply:
Install SPDs either internally or externally ensure that emergency elevator circuits are protected from damaging surges. Use SPD with transient filtering for best protection of electronics.
645.18 Surge Protection for Critical Operations Data Systems.
Surge protection shall be provided for critical operations data systems.
Reasons for Changes:
While Article 708.20 (D) does require surge protection it is only at the high level of power distributions for critical operations. For Surge Protection to be most effective, a cascading protection scheme should be used through an entire system. This added requirement ensures that protection will be installed as close as possible to critical operations data systems and provide multi-level protection in conjunction with 708.20 (D). Critical Operation Data Systems is defined by the NECT as “Information technology equipment systems that require continuous operation for reasons of public safety, emergency management, national security or business continuity.”
How to Comply:
Install SPDs for general field additions to ensure that the equipment is protected. For installation at the PDUs and distribution panel we recommend that the SPD also have enhanced transient filtering.
670.6 Surge Protection
Industrial machinery with safety interlock circuits shall have surge protection installed.
Reasons for Changes:
Industrial machinery safety interlocks are required per NFPA 79 primarily to protect operators against serious injury or possible death. A 2013 and 2014 survey of facility managers commissioned by NFPA found that a significant amount of responses (26%) reported damage to safety interlocks from surge events. The concern is failure of safety interlocks on machinery, causing safety risk to operators who may not be aware of failed safety mechanisms due to surge.
How to Comply:
Select listed SPDs with manufacturer instructions that include minimum wire sizing.
694.7(D) Surge Protection
A surge protection device shall be installed between a wind electric system and any loads served by the premises electrical system.
Note: The surge device can be on the circuit serving the wind electric system or on the load side of the service disconnect.
695.15 Surge Protection
A listed surge protection device shall be installed in or on the fire pump controller.
Reasons for Changes:
In 2014 surge protection requirements were added for emergency systems at a distribution level for switchboards and panelboards. 2017 expands on this further requiring another level of protection directly at the fire pump controller. NFPA survey results from 2013-2014 showed that 12% of participants reported damage to fire pump controllers from surge issues.
How to Comply:
Install an SPD for general field additions to ensure that the equipment is protected.
700.8 Surge Protection – Emergency Panelboards
A listed SPD shall be installed in or on all emergency systems switchboards and panelboards.
Note: The NEC defines emergency power systems as systems legally required to automatically supply power to designated loads upon loss of normal power. This requirement will help ensure emergency electrical-distribution systems continue to deliver reliable power to vital life-safety loads in the event of damaging surges.
708.20 Surge Protection – Required For Critical Distribution Panels
“Surge protection devices shall be provided at all facility voltage distribution levels…” for Critical Operation Power Systems (COPS).
Note: COPS systems include but are not limited to power systems, HVAC, fire alarms, security, communications and signaling for designated critical operations areas. Surge protection ensures that these systems will operate in emergency situations.
RESIDENTIAL
230.67 Surge Protection. (A) Surge-Protective Device. All services supplying dwelling units shall be provided with a surge-protective device (SPD).
(B) Location. The SPD shall be an integral part of the service equipment or shall be located immediately adjacent thereto.
Exception: The SPD shall not be required to be located in the service equipment as required in (B) if located at each next level distribution equipment downstream toward the load.
