With the evolving technology it was found that in industrial electronic systems, damage is commonly caused by over voltages. These over voltages can be caused by atmospheric discharges as well as the equipment’s switching actions. The transfer impedance can be either high or low, depending on the location of the interference source. If interference is in the same circuit as the electronic equipment, there is low transfer impedance. However, impedance is higher in the case of interference from some external source. For the simulation of both these conditions, a Combination Wave Generator, also known as a Surge Generator is utilized. This article will mainly focus on a Surge Generator, its specifications as well as what exactly is a combination wave on surge generator.
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What is a Surge Generator
A Surge Generator is a device that is utilized to test out the immunity of a system through generating brief high-voltage surges. These generators are of two types i.e. impulse current generators and impulse voltage generators. To test out different equipment such as plasma devices and lightning arresters, high impulsive currents are required for which this generator is used. They are usually heavy benchtop equipment that is grounded to ensure safe usage. While testing three phase power line systems large coupling/decoupling networks are needed which results in a bigger system size as well.
When surge generators are turned on, they produce large spikes in voltage or current known as surge waves or combination waves. Surge pulses lead to short circuit or the malfunction of the electrical equipment, as a result of their existence. A combination wave is created when two waves combine to generate a composite wave in which the two waves must account for the composite wave’s direction, amplitude, and phase. Test engineers can rent surge generators to use during EMC testing to determine a component’s or system’s immunity.
It is essential to eliminate sources of EMI in the design of the product and procure EMC compliance because electrical substations have to keep on the supply of power even in harsh conditions. The variety of output voltage ranges that are offered by surge generators enable the testing of these applications.
Lightning surge immunity test
In industrial electronic systems, over voltages are a prevalent cause of damage. This impairment can be caused by equipment switching motions or due to atmospheric discharges like lightning, both of which can cause harm. The interference source’s transfer impedance is low when it’s in the same circuit as the electronic equipment, and the impulse becomes a current when it’s in this circuit. If the interference is generated by an external source, the transfer impedance will be higher, and a voltage impulse will be generated instead. To simulate both of these circumstances, a Combination Wave Generator delivers a voltage impulse into an open circuit while concurrently providing a current impulse into a short circuit.
Surge Transients
Surge pulse or combination wave transients can come from a variety of sources, including lightning strikes and electrical switching, among others. A lightning strike can create an electrical surge transient, whether it strikes an electrical system directly or indirectly through a wire. Surge generators from LISUN are the best on the market as these devices are created under the guidance of renowned engineers and experts. As a result, LISUN is regarded as one of the world’s leading electrical equipment manufacturers.