Busch-Protector®

Overvoltage protection

Damage caused by overvoltage is being registered increasingly in electronic installations. As shown in the damage statistics for those insuring electronic devices, the damage caused by overvoltages each year in Germany alone is in the billions, e.g.switching operations in power supply and low-voltage systems, or simply through electrostatic discharges (ESD). 

Affected by this are highly sensitive electronic devices that increase the quality of our life in many sectors. Heating control systems, computers, electronic equipment for entertainment, monitoring equipment and alarm systems as well as electronically controlled household devices are to be found in most apartments and houses. One could no longer imagine commercial sectors without electronic control systems in their production processes and DP applications.

For ensuring the safety of these electrical installations it is absolutely essential to protect them reliably against overvoltages. The arresters produced by Busch-Jaeger for strokes of lightning and overvoltage are installed in a suitable place in the consumer's system, contribute considerably towards this.

Busch-Protector®

Overvoltage protection

Telephone cables are the other access where overvoltages can penetrate equipment and cause destruction.
Here, respective overvoltage arresters looped in the signal path provide protection.

How are overvoltages caused?

Overvoltages are produced when switching operations, electrostatic discharges and strokes of lightning occur. They couple inductively, capacitively or galvanically in electric cables for the mains supply.

What effects do overvoltages have on electrical consumers?

The damage ranges from functional faults to the complete destruction of electronic devices. 

How high is the proportion of damage caused by overvoltages?

Measured against the total volume of damage caused to property insurers, the damage caused by overvoltage accounts for 21%. The damage due to fire (5%) and storms (1%) is considerably less, which is astonishing.

How has damage caused by overvoltage developed during the past few years?

The total damage caused by strokes of lightning doubles every two to three years and in 1993 it amounted to DM 2 billion in Germany alone.

How large is the market for products protecting against overvoltage?

Every year more than 250,000 buildings with over 510,000 apartments are built in Germany, but hardly any are fitted with overvoltage protection. In addition there are about 45 million old buildings in Germany, and the majority are also without any overvoltage protection.

Who are the potential end consumers for overvoltage protection?

House and apartment owners, especially all the self-employed professions such as doctors, lawyers, brokers and insurance offices are willing to invest in overvoltage technologies. Breakdowns in electronic devices such as PCs, for example, can have unforeseeable financial consequences.