The most harmful surges are happening more often
A surge, also known as a transient voltage spike, is a short-lived increase in voltage that exceeds the normal operating levels of an electrical circuit. Surges can be categorized into two types: internal and external.
Internal surges are generated within a facility, often stemming from the operation of heavy machinery or large electrical loads. External surges originate from external sources like lightning strikes or utility grid disturbances. Both types can inflict substantial damage to security systems if left unprotected.
The most damaging are often smaller voltage surges that go unnoticed. These blips on the electric grid are happening more frequently — sometimes daily — as as population growth and other factors put increasing strain on the electrical grid. That's a concern because the accumulation of these often unnoticed, frequent smaller surges creates wear and tear on devices and systems, impacting their lifespan or causing them to quickly go offline.
A surge protective device (SPD) is a protector of the sensitive security system and all its components from those silent zappers. SPDs help ensure the equipment runs as it should for as long as it should.