Automation systems are standard in most industrial companies. If the automation system fails, production comes to a halt, potentially bringing a company to the verge of ruin. Lightning and surge protection specialist DEHN Africa, the local arm of global company DEHN + SÖHNE, offers comprehensive protection solutions in the fields of surge protection, lightning protection/earthing, and safety equipment for many different industries.

Surge protection increases operational safety

To increase operational safety, lines extending beyond the building should be located and protected. The table gives an example of the power supply system and information transmission via Profibus and Industrial Ethernet.

The prospective short-circuit current must be particularly taken into account for the power supply system. Coordinated DEHNbloc Maxi S lightning current arresters (1 – see table) are tested with short-circuit currents up to 100 kArms and are therefore ideally suited for industrial applications. BLITZDUCTOR XT (2 – see table) protects information technology lines, even in the case of a direct lightning strike.

Potential islanding

The following applies to PLCs, AS interfaces, sensors, actuators and Ex barriers. The table gives an example of the power supply system and information transmission via Profibus and Industrial Ethernet.

Surges must be compensated in the device with all connected lines (potential islanding). Surge protective devices such as VNH (9 – see table), SPS Protector (10 – see table) and DEHNrail (13 – see table) modular master this task on the power supply side. DEHNconnect (11 – see table), DEHNpatch (3 – see table), BLITZDUCTOR XT (12 – see table) or surge arresters for Profibus DP (5 – see table), which are capable of compensating surges within a matter of microseconds, can be used for information technology lines. In conjunction with an intermeshed equipotential bonding and earth-termination system, surge-related downtime and interruption of operations can thus be prevented.

Market leader DEHN, a globally active family-owned electrotechnical company with more than 1600 employees worldwide, offers innovative products and solutions as well as comprehensive services in the field of surge protection, lightning protection and safety equipment. DEHN focuses on the protection of system and building technology, the transportation, telecommunication and process sector, photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, etc. The company's continuous growth is based on more than 100 years of tradition and experience as well as highest quality standards and consistent customer and market orientation throughout the world.