IEEE C62.43

Description / Abstract: This guide provides assistance in selecting the most appropriate type of surge protector for a particular data, communication, and/or signaling circuit application.

This guide is divided into six clauses. Clause 1 provides an overview and the scope of this guide. Clause 2 lists references to other standards. Clause 3 gives a description and the theory of the operation of surge protectors used in data, communications, and signaling circuit applications. Clause 4 and Clause 5 describe and interpret non-surge and active performance tests, respectively. Clause 6 discusses some general application principles.

This guide also contains normative Annex A, which provides a description and theory of operation of certain current-limiting devices that may be used in multiple-component surge protectors. Informative Annex B and Annex C supply examples of applications of surge protectors used in low-voltage data, communications, and signaling circuits. Informative Annex D provides guidance on the protection of digital subscriber line (DSL) systems. Informative Annex E supplies guidance on coordinating telecommunications primary and secondary protectors. Informative Annex F provides an overview of antenna feeds protection and radio-frequency (RF) surge suppression technology for communications sites. Informative Annex G contains a bibliography of the references used in developing this guide. The informative annexes provide additional information for understanding and using this guide, but they are not an essential part of the guide. This guide applies to surge protectors used in balanced or unbalanced data, communications, and signaling circuits with equal to or less than 1000 V, rms (Vrms), or 1200 V, dc (Vdc). The surge protectors covered are multiple-component series or parallel combinations of linear or nonlinear elements, packaged for the purpose of limiting voltage, current, or both.

This guide is intended to complement IEEE Std C62.36TM-2000.¹ The definitions used in this application guide and the test methods standard are the same. For terms not defined in the guide or the standard, see The Authoritative Dictionary of IEEE Standards Terms [B12].²

This guide is not intended to apply to a packaged single-component gas discharge tube (GDT) or air gap arresters/protectors, which are covered by IEEE Std C62.42^TM-1992 nor to packaged single component thyristor surge protective devices, which are covered by IEEE Std C62.37^TM-1997.

Purpose

The purpose of this guide is to enable an understanding and an evaluation of the functions of the various types of multiple-component data, communications, and signaling circuit protectors in terms of particular applications. Consideration is given to the characteristics of multiple-component protectors and the concepts necessary to choose the appropriate product and to interpret its specifications.

¹Information on references can be found in Clause 2.

²The numbers in brackets correspond to those of the bibliography in Annex G.