Skip to content
DITEK Surge Protection Logo
  • About DITEK
    • Credentials
    • Leadership Team
    • How to Buy
    • Distributors
    • Training
    • Testimonials
    • Career Opportunities
  • Solutions
    • Solutions by Application
      • Protecting HVAC Systems
      • Protecting Electrical Systems
      • Protecting Security Systems
    • Solutions by Market
    • Case Studies
  • Products
    • **Product Selector Tool**
    • Industrial & Commercial Power Protection
      • 120S Series
      • CM-CMX Plus Series
      • D100 Series
      • D150X Series
      • D200 Series
      • D200M Series
      • D200MT Series
      • D300M Series
      • D300MT Series
      • D50 Series
      • Deflector Series
      • DR Series
      • HW Series
      • Line Conditioner
      • Plug Ins
      • Whole House Series
    • Industrial Control Panel Protection
      • 120S Series
      • CM-CMX Plus Series
      • D50 Series
      • DR LV Series
      • DR Series
      • MRJ Series
    • Whole Home Power Protection
      • CM-CMX Plus Series
      • D50 Series
      • Intelligent Voltage Monitoring
      • Plug Ins
      • Protection Kit
      • UPS Series
      • VSP Series
      • Whole House Series
    • Roadway Lighting Protection
      • CM-CMX Plus Series
    • HVAC Protection
      • CM-CMX Plus Series
      • HW Series
      • Intelligent Voltage Monitoring
      • Protection Kit
    • DITEK Networks
      • PoE Switches
    • Fire Alarm Protection
      • 120S Series
      • 2MHLP Series
      • Deflector Series
      • DR LV Series
      • HW Series
      • LVLP Series
      • MRJ Series
      • Protection Kit
      • TSS Series
      • VSP Series
    • IP Video Protection
      • CAT6A Series
      • DR LV Series
      • IP Over Coax Series
      • MRJ Series
      • NETS Series
      • PVP Series
      • RM Series
      • UPS Series
      • UPS+ Series
    • Analog CCTV Protection
      • DP4P Series
      • DTK-GLI
      • IBNC Series
      • PVP Series
      • VSP Series
    • Network Protection
      • CAT6A Series
      • MRJ Series
      • NETS Series
      • Plug Ins
      • RM Series
    • Audio/Video Protection
      • 2MHLP Series
      • DR LV Series
      • HDMI Series
      • Line Conditioner
      • MRJ Series
      • NETS Series
      • UPS Series
      • UPS+ Series
      • VM2 Series
      • VSP Series
    • Uninterruptible Power Supplies
      • UPS Series
      • UPS+ Series
    • Access Control Protection
      • 120S Series
      • 2MHLP Series
      • DTK-ESS
      • HW Series
      • LVLP Series
      • Plug Ins
    • Intrusion System Protection
      • 2MHLP Series
      • MRJ Series
      • Plug Ins
      • Protection Kit
      • VSP Series
    • Telecommunications Protection
      • 2MHLP Series
      • 66 Block Series
      • LVLP Series
      • MRJ Series
    • Intercom Protection
      • 66 Block Series
    • Signaling & Communication Protection
      • DR LV Series
      • LVLP Series
      • MRJ45 Series
      • TSS Series
      • VM2 Series
    • Accessories
  • Resources
    • Hot Sheets
    • Data Sheets
    • 3D CAD Models
    • A&E Spec Request
    • Product Guides
    • Installation Guides
    • UPS Software
    • Technical Library
    • Videos
    • Sales Terms, Returns, and Warranties
    • Whitepapers
  • News and Events
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • About DITEK
    • Credentials
    • Leadership Team
    • How to Buy
    • Distributors
    • Training
    • Testimonials
    • Career Opportunities
  • Solutions
    • Solutions by Application
      • Protecting HVAC Systems
      • Protecting Electrical Systems
      • Protecting Security Systems
    • Solutions by Market
    • Case Studies
  • Products
    • **Product Selector Tool**
    • Industrial & Commercial Power Protection
      • 120S Series
      • CM-CMX Plus Series
      • D100 Series
      • D150X Series
      • D200 Series
      • D200M Series
      • D200MT Series
      • D300M Series
      • D300MT Series
      • D50 Series
      • Deflector Series
      • DR Series
      • HW Series
      • Line Conditioner
      • Plug Ins
      • Whole House Series
    • Industrial Control Panel Protection
      • 120S Series
      • CM-CMX Plus Series
      • D50 Series
      • DR LV Series
      • DR Series
      • MRJ Series
    • Whole Home Power Protection
      • CM-CMX Plus Series
      • D50 Series
      • Intelligent Voltage Monitoring
      • Plug Ins
      • Protection Kit
      • UPS Series
      • VSP Series
      • Whole House Series
    • Roadway Lighting Protection
      • CM-CMX Plus Series
    • HVAC Protection
      • CM-CMX Plus Series
      • HW Series
      • Intelligent Voltage Monitoring
      • Protection Kit
    • DITEK Networks
      • PoE Switches
    • Fire Alarm Protection
      • 120S Series
      • 2MHLP Series
      • Deflector Series
      • DR LV Series
      • HW Series
      • LVLP Series
      • MRJ Series
      • Protection Kit
      • TSS Series
      • VSP Series
    • IP Video Protection
      • CAT6A Series
      • DR LV Series
      • IP Over Coax Series
      • MRJ Series
      • NETS Series
      • PVP Series
      • RM Series
      • UPS Series
      • UPS+ Series
    • Analog CCTV Protection
      • DP4P Series
      • DTK-GLI
      • IBNC Series
      • PVP Series
      • VSP Series
    • Network Protection
      • CAT6A Series
      • MRJ Series
      • NETS Series
      • Plug Ins
      • RM Series
    • Audio/Video Protection
      • 2MHLP Series
      • DR LV Series
      • HDMI Series
      • Line Conditioner
      • MRJ Series
      • NETS Series
      • UPS Series
      • UPS+ Series
      • VM2 Series
      • VSP Series
    • Uninterruptible Power Supplies
      • UPS Series
      • UPS+ Series
    • Access Control Protection
      • 120S Series
      • 2MHLP Series
      • DTK-ESS
      • HW Series
      • LVLP Series
      • Plug Ins
    • Intrusion System Protection
      • 2MHLP Series
      • MRJ Series
      • Plug Ins
      • Protection Kit
      • VSP Series
    • Telecommunications Protection
      • 2MHLP Series
      • 66 Block Series
      • LVLP Series
      • MRJ Series
    • Intercom Protection
      • 66 Block Series
    • Signaling & Communication Protection
      • DR LV Series
      • LVLP Series
      • MRJ45 Series
      • TSS Series
      • VM2 Series
    • Accessories
  • Resources
    • Hot Sheets
    • Data Sheets
    • 3D CAD Models
    • A&E Spec Request
    • Product Guides
    • Installation Guides
    • UPS Software
    • Technical Library
    • Videos
    • Sales Terms, Returns, and Warranties
    • Whitepapers
  • News and Events
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
Previous Next

Surge Protection Grounding and Installation Best Practices

For proper operation, install all Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) per the guidelines set forth by the manufacturer. Improperly installed devices will not perform as intended and consequently, will not protect the equipment. 

The conductor length between the SPD and the protected equipment should be a minimum of three feet in length to allow enough time for it to react. The conductors can be greater than 3 feet as long as they are isolated and are not subjected, or directly exposed to internally or externally-generated, transient voltage spikes and/or surges.

Always make sure that the field wiring (unprotected wires) and the protected wiring occupy separate conduit feeds. When unprotected and protected wires occupy the same conduit, surge energy can be induced on to the protected wiring and completely bypass the Surge Protective Device (SPD).

The use of a grounding bus bar is strongly recommended as a means of terminating SPD ground wires to existing electrical grounding leads. This will ensure a solid mechanical connection of all grounding wires. Twist-on wire connectors, also known as wire nuts, are not recommended for terminating SPD ground wires. They can add resistance by becoming loose and/or corroded over time. In addition, twist-on wire connectors can unnecessarily extend the length of the grounding conductor. This would degrade the performance of the SPD due to the lack of a short, low impedance ground path.

When installing multiple SPD’s and terminating to a common ground, a dedicated ground wire ran from each individual SPD to a common grounding bus bar is strongly recommended. “Daisy-chaining” multiple SPD ground wires together via the SPD grounding terminals or by using twist-on wire connectors is not recommended as this increases the resistance and extends the length of the ground path. If the desired grounding/bonding point is a greater distance than the lead wires from the surge protector to the protected equipment, use a larger gage grounding conductor (#6 AWG) from the grounding buss to the desired grounding/bonding point.

Make sure that the grounding conductors are short and straight where possible. Look for a low impedance ground source. While NEC states 25 Ohms or less, IEEE and DITEK require less than 5 Ohms. This will give the surge energy a low impedance dissipation point to shunt the overvoltage energy to, and away from your protected circuit.

For referencing ground, you can look to an Electrical Service Ground, Grounded Building Steel, Local Electrical Ground or a Dedicated Ground Rod. Do not reference metallic water pipes. Typically, PVC is used when repairing or replacing pipes. Since PVC is non-conductive, ground reference will be lost.

To learn more about grounding and bonding, read our white paper Grounding 101.

Dave Gattis2023-10-31T09:59:59-05:00

Related Posts

Does Your Fire Alarm Meet the New Code 2023 NEC Requirements?

Does Your Fire Alarm Meet the New Code 2023 NEC Requirements?

February 10, 2025
Why You Need Surge Protection: A Critical Safeguard in a Year of Natural Disasters

Why You Need Surge Protection: A Critical Safeguard in a Year of Natural Disasters

December 5, 2024
Why Surge Protection is a “Must” Investment for Electric Vehicle Owners

Why Surge Protection is a “Must” Investment for Electric Vehicle Owners

September 20, 2024
Voltage Swings: How They Can Leave You Hot, Bothered, and Longing for Your A/C

Voltage Swings: How They Can Leave You Hot, Bothered, and Longing for Your A/C

July 19, 2024

Company

About DITEK
News & Events
Resources
FAQs
Training
Contact Us
Career Opportunities

 

Legal

Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Trademark & Brand Usage Policy
Patents

DITEK Corporation

One DITEK Center
1720 Starkey Road
Largo, FL 33771

Contact Us

© 2023 DITEK, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Page load link
Go to Top