Protecting operational infrastructures in the 21st century requires a complete and comprehensive approach to the operating environment. The degree of sophistication incorporated into our electronic society has become so imbedded that our dependence on complex electronic systems has grown to the point where few organizations within either the public or private sectors can operate without them for even a short period of time. Electronic systems permeate every facet of our existence. Today, computer, telecommunications, security and other electronic based network systems drive our economy like never before; a 24/7 schedule is a mandatory necessity for competing in the global market. Assuring that precious electronic assets are not damaged or destroyed within their operating environments remains a major concern for all organizations and their underwriters.
Electronic systems are nothing more than a group of black boxes that have been interfaced or networked to function collectively. To get the system to operate reliably within an installation’s environment can frequently be a lot more challenging. Real world, real time operations require a comprehensive Power Quality/Disaster Avoidance program that can provide optimum up-time reliability coupled with significant risk minimization. However, investing in Power Quality (PQ) programs that offer total system solutions can be an expensive proposition and requires careful due diligence.
Total system protection always begins at the service entrance; this is the location where we establish a first line of defense against problem ingress. Regardless of the service type: power, telephone, cable, security, etc., that enters a structure, whether that structure be a single-family residence, commercial center or an industrial complex, it is at the service entrance where everything starts and total system protection starts with the installation of a good ground system.
A site’s ground system is the common denominator for every electronic and electromechanical device in a facility and it is the foundation upon which a PQ program is built. All power, computer, communications and security systems are tied to ground therefore networking everything together; this is what necessitates good grounding, bonding and shielding practices because all electrical and electronic systems are interrelated with each other. A good ground is critical for safety as well as for optimum system performance.
Moving further within a site’s structural and network environment may require the services of many different PQ tools. To achieve the necessary coordination between different and unique PQ tools and operating systems, we need a cost-effective and disciplined method capable of accomplishing our protection and operational objectives. The Zoned Protection approach based upon Europe’s IEC 1024-1 Standard (Protection against LEMP), provides a unique and systematic (step-by-step) procedure that represents the most comprehensive protection blueprint for a PQ Program available. It is, in reality, a complete systems approach to risk minimization and loss prevention for networked installations.
Zoned Protection is actually a formula that can be utilized to specify the protection requirements for an installation, facility, or an entire campus site. As a PQ tool and a design platform for Disaster Avoidance programs, the Zoned Protection approach provides a concise application matrix to create the necessary operating environments for structural protection, specialized machinery and manufacturing equipment, HVAC equipment, security, communication, computer, and process control systems as well as other associated networks.
The Zoned Protection Concept offers a strategic implementation of protection products to provide the correct electrical environment for electronic equipment. Simply, the volume to be protected is divided into “environmental” protection zones; the number assigned to each zone is then indicative of the severity of the electrical environment (for that specific location).
Correctly configured and implemented, a Zone Protection approach will coordinate other Power Quality technologies and tools such as: grounding, bonding and shielding, UPS and backup generators, harmonic filtering, isolation transformers, power distribution systems and even structural lightning protection into a complete and comprehensive Power Quality program.
Coordination of Power Quality technologies to specific applications will provide the most cost-effective and comprehensive system solution possible. This assures that the right tools, at the right price, are used for the job at hand. Remember: it is always more cost-effective to avoid a disaster than it is to recover from one.
Electronic systems are nothing more than a group of black boxes that have been interfaced or networked to function collectively. To get the system to operate reliably within an installation’s environment can frequently be a lot more challenging. Real world, real time operations require a comprehensive Power Quality/Disaster Avoidance program that can provide optimum up-time reliability coupled with significant risk minimization. However, investing in Power Quality (PQ) programs that offer total system solutions can be an expensive proposition and requires careful due diligence.
Total system protection always begins at the service entrance; this is the location where we establish a first line of defense against problem ingress. Regardless of the service type: power, telephone, cable, security, etc., that enters a structure, whether that structure be a single-family residence, commercial center or an industrial complex, it is at the service entrance where everything starts and total system protection starts with the installation of a good ground system.
A site’s ground system is the common denominator for every electronic and electromechanical device in a facility and it is the foundation upon which a PQ program is built. All power, computer, communications and security systems are tied to ground therefore networking everything together; this is what necessitates good grounding, bonding and shielding practices because all electrical and electronic systems are interrelated with each other. A good ground is critical for safety as well as for optimum system performance.
Moving further within a site’s structural and network environment may require the services of many different PQ tools. To achieve the necessary coordination between different and unique PQ tools and operating systems, we need a cost-effective and disciplined method capable of accomplishing our protection and operational objectives. The Zoned Protection approach based upon Europe’s IEC 1024-1 Standard (Protection against LEMP), provides a unique and systematic (step-by-step) procedure that represents the most comprehensive protection blueprint for a PQ Program available. It is, in reality, a complete systems approach to risk minimization and loss prevention for networked installations.
Zoned Protection is actually a formula that can be utilized to specify the protection requirements for an installation, facility, or an entire campus site. As a PQ tool and a design platform for Disaster Avoidance programs, the Zoned Protection approach provides a concise application matrix to create the necessary operating environments for structural protection, specialized machinery and manufacturing equipment, HVAC equipment, security, communication, computer, and process control systems as well as other associated networks.
The Zoned Protection Concept offers a strategic implementation of protection products to provide the correct electrical environment for electronic equipment. Simply, the volume to be protected is divided into “environmental” protection zones; the number assigned to each zone is then indicative of the severity of the electrical environment (for that specific location).
- CONCEPT – Protection Zones are volumes (defined by protection techniques) where the electrical environment is of a comparable level of harshness.
- ZONE 0= Uncontrolled environment: transient overvoltages will reach whatever amplitude the insulation of the installation allows. The magnitude of surge current (particularly during lightning) may be extreme, with correspondingly high electromagnetic fields.
- ZONE 1= Controlled Transient Environment: the operational volume is protected from the uncontrolled Zone0. Surge currents on all conductive paths will be significantly reduced compared to Zone0. In addition, electromagnetic fields may be altered by the shielding effect of the structure.
- ZONE 2, 3, etc. Additional protection techniques introduced with Zone1 define volume with lower transient activity and correspondingly lower surge currents.
Correctly configured and implemented, a Zone Protection approach will coordinate other Power Quality technologies and tools such as: grounding, bonding and shielding, UPS and backup generators, harmonic filtering, isolation transformers, power distribution systems and even structural lightning protection into a complete and comprehensive Power Quality program.
Coordination of Power Quality technologies to specific applications will provide the most cost-effective and comprehensive system solution possible. This assures that the right tools, at the right price, are used for the job at hand. Remember: it is always more cost-effective to avoid a disaster than it is to recover from one.
