What are the characteristics of OBO Bettermann surge arresters?
The new generation of surge arresters are devices designed to protect the most common electrical installations on the market. These include installations in single- and multi-family houses, public buildings and industrial installations. The new series of V50 arresters are Type 1+2 arresters (according to the old markings - class B+C), which are the first level of protection against lightning discharges in buildings with lightning protection classes III and IV. The new V20 series is Type2 (according to the old markings - class C), which is the basis for surge protection and every electrical installation must be equipped with it. OBO Bettermann has been offering this type of devices for many years, and the new series stands out from our offer and from the competition.
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What makes the new OBO Bettermann surge arresters special?
Many years of activity in the surge protection market have allowed OBO and its employees to gain extensive knowledge of customer needs. We have tried to adapt to these needs as much as possible by introducing these new devices to our offer. This is evidenced by the new mechanical design of the limiter bases, replaceable inserts - that is, the heart of the limiter (the safety device is located there), as well as the method of connecting both of these elements. The design of surge arresters, which has been well known for many years and its popularity, also meant that the OBO Bettermann brand suffered from its solutions being inspired by competing companies around the world. A completely new look and new patented surge protection marking on the limiter housings is intended to provide protection against similar practices in the future. This new marking will also clearly distinguish surge protection devices in electrical cabinets.
Another important feature, and in our opinion the most important one, is the halogen-free material from which the plastic elements of surge arrester housings are made. For many conscious customers, this is a very important issue, because it is of great importance in crisis situations - during a fire. It is required that e.g. channels for cables be made of halogen-free materials, but we forget about the multitude of other components made of plastic - including electrical equipment. With this new solution, we want to raise awareness of how harmful burning plastic containing halogens, which emits poisonous gases, can be to human health and life. It is estimated that approximately 95% of fire victims die not as a result of direct fire exposure, but because of poisonous smoke. This smoke is also an additional factor that can permanently damage the structure of the building. The use of halogen-free materials reduces both material and personal damage to a minimum.
The new surge arresters are also a kind of entry into the digital era, thanks to the use of a QR code on the housing. At any time after removing the limiter from the box, we can scan the code and read the detailed user manual. A lost paper manual will not be a problem. Thanks to this solution, every installer with a smartphone can learn all the parameters and installation instructions of the limiter at any time.
Surge arresters in electrical installations
The above features are very important for electricians. It is important for us that a modern solution becomes common. The market and the habits of electricians mean that the most popular solution used in 3-phase installations are limiters with 4 varistors (one varistor in each field of the installation). This is not a universal solution, and remember that it most often applies to Type 1+2 arresters (class B+C according to the old markings), which are very important from the point of view of protecting the installation against lightning strokes. In addition to the obvious benefits resulting from the use of new devices, we also want to convince our regular and new customers to choose a different solution. A universal solution for every TN and TT type electrical network, based on the use of a spark gap in the fourth field (NPE field). For three-phase networks, this type of devices are the so-called 3+1 or 3+NPE limiters. It should also be added that thanks to the launch of a modern and automated production line for New Generation surge arresters, the 3+NPE solution is not a price shock for buyers.
- lower limiter leakage current,
- it is universal solution for every network: TT, TN-S and TNC-S , as a separate residual current device is not required before the limiter in the TT network in accordance with IEC 60364-5-53,
- no dangerous touch voltage in the event of limiter failure (problem of insulation of end devices),
- safety in the event of ground leakage in the power supply system,
- the limiter can always be installed before the residual current circuit breaker, which will not trip in the event of an overvoltage,
- low residual voltage between the phase wire (L) and the neutral wire (N) (such as in fine protection limiters, e.g. Type 2+3),
- better (lower) voltage level of protection between the phases (L) and the neutral (N), because the varistor is parallel to the terminal device, unlike in a 4 + 0 connection type.
TYPES OF CONNECTIONS OF OVERVOLTAGE LIMITERS IN A 5-WIRE NETWORK PROVIDED IN THE PN EN 60364-5-53 STANDARD
| Network layout at the point of connection of the surge arrester | Connection type | |
|---|---|---|
| 3+NPE | 4+0 | |
| TNS system | Always possible | Possible |
| TNC-S system | Possible | |
| TT system | only AFTER the switch residual current device | |
The new OBO Bettermann surge arresters, like the entire range of other well-known devices in our offer, have a 5-year manufacturer's warranty. Production takes place 100% in the European Union, and an additional confirmation of the quality and parameters of the new surge arresters is the certificate of the German VDE testing and certification institute, confirming compliance with the EN 61643-11 standard.