Application Note CCC 94-002

Revised February 2001

External Sources of Transient Voltage Surges

and Electrical Line Noise
Jim Tiesi, Mgr. Product Mgmt & Applications Engineering
Control Concepts / Liebert
Binghamton, New York

Lightning: Lightning strikes are the most

visible and the most destructive high voltage
transient. Although a direct hit can delivery
hundreds of millions of volts and hundreds
of thousands of amperes, this is not the only
concern. Through mutual induction, any
conductive circuit within a few miles radius
could experience a several thousand volt
transient.

switched out at the same time every night.

Those with Transient Voltage measuring
equipment can see voltage disturbances at
the same time every day. The transient can
reach hundreds or thousands of volts
depending on the impedance, or distance
from the utilitys or commercial users
capacitor banks.

Utility Switching: The path of electrical

power from the utility generator to a
commercial building is not a dedicated line.
It is vast network of generators and
substations interconnecting hundreds or
thousands of miles.
Normally every
component is electrically tied together and
in sync. Demand changes or service
requirements result in frequent switching of
network grid tie points.
Any time a
substation is switched into or out of the
network, a voltage transient is produced.
The transient can reach hundreds or
thousands of volts depending on the current,
impedance and distance from the switching
point(s).

Faults: A fault is a catastrophic phase to

phase or phase to neutral/ground connection
ideally causing a fuse or circuit breaker to
operate instantly. When a fault occurs, the
distribution voltage falls from normal to
very near zero and the systems
corresponding fault current increases until
the protective circuitry operates and the
fault is cleared.
Though the loads
downstream of the fault clearing device
experience a blackout, the loads upstream of
the fault clearing device are subjected in
certain conditions to substantial voltage
transients.
Construction:
Arc welders in use in
construction close to ones building can
produce damaging voltage transients and
Electrical Line Noise.

Capacitor Switching:
Power factor
correction capacitors area added to the
network by utilities as well as large
commercial power users. The purpose is to
compensate for excessive inductive loads
such as motors and to boost lower power
factor at distribution extremities. These
banks of capacitors are typically switched in
at the same time every morning and
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