Power Line Surges

The electric power grid provides AC power to our homes and businesses. Electric utilities endeavor to provide power at a constant voltage and frequency but even the most diligent effort will not prevent anomalous events. Voltage can sag or surge depending on varying load on the power grid. Most electrical equipment is designed to work properly over a reasonable range of input voltage, but there is always some level at which upset can occur. Of greater concern are transients caused by switching on or off of large current demands. A change in current into an inductive load will result in a voltage spike. Spikes can be hundreds or even thousands of volts. The duration may be short, but it can be well beyond what an electronic system can survive unless protection devices are built into the product.

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