GD Rectifiers’ wide range of circuit protection devices and your A-Z application guide

GD Rectifiers boasts a wide range of circuit protection devices which automatically limits the amount of energy that is released incase of electrical failure, including the prevention of excessive temperatures and currents.

Overcurrent protection

Overcurrent protection is required against excessive currents and currents beyond the current rating of equipment. Overcurrent protection usually comes in to effect immediately to limit disruption and maximise protection to the circuit. Types of overcurrent protection devices include circuit breakers, fuses and overcurrent relays.  

Overvoltage protection

The most common cause of overvoltage is often the power supply itself. This usually occurs when there is a failure inside the power supply which can force an unexpected and uncontrolled high voltage across the device. It can also be triggered due to a user error where the user programs the power supply higher than the device can tolerate.

Overvoltage devices are used on power supply systems and shut down the source, or clamp the output when the voltage exceeds a pre-set level. Overvoltage protection systems, such as surge arresters, prevent damage to electronic components which could otherwise lead to damage, degrading or the malfunction of components.

GD Rectifiers Circuit Protection DevicesOvervoltage protection characteristics

  1. Will prevent excess voltage from being applied to the components
  2. The protection circuit should not interfere with the normal function of the system or cause related voltage drops
  3. The protection circuit you choose should be able to differentiate between normal voltage fluctuations and harmful overvoltage
  4. Be reactive enough to respond to transient events that are likely to damage the power supply and components 

Lightning protection

Lightning protection systems are designed to protect structures from fire and mechanical destruction. A complete lightning protection system consists of external lightning protection (earthing) and internal lightning protection (surge protection).

Internal lighting protection systems will prevent dangerous sparking by establishing equipotential bonding or by keeping a separation distance between the components. Equipotential bonding helps reduce the potential differences caused by lightning currents.

External lightning protection intercepts direct lightning strikes by an air-termination system, allows a safe discharge of lightning current to earth with a down-conductor system and with the distribution of the lightning current in the ground via an earth-termination system.

Following the EN/IEC 62305 standard, a lightning protection system must consist of the following: air-termination system, down conductor, earth-termination system, separation distances and lightning equipotential bonding.

ESD protection

ESD protection (electrostatic discharge) is known as the energy transfer between two objects that are charged differently. Electrostatic discharge can cause damage to electronic devices or a short out, which is why most electronic manufacturers choose to protect their devices against ESD. Electrostatic discharge protection devices can be found in a wide range of applications, including: scanners, portable electronics, flashlights and LED printing.

GD Rectifiers have been specialising in circuit protection for over 30 years, they offer a large range of devices from some of the world’s circuit protection experts such as: Eaton Bussmann, Mersen, Westcode, Enerdoor, Eichhoff alongside their own range.

GD Rectifiers’ extensive range of circuit protection devices include electromagnetic solutions such as EMI filters and voltage stabilisers, fuses and microswitches, selenium transient suppressors, safety transformers and electronic ignition systems, thermal trips, varistors, breakover diodes and surge arresters. 

Applications for circuit protection devices, A-Z Guide:

  • Avionics communications systems
  • Battery packs
  • Computers
  • DVD players
  • Electrical cars
  • Flight simulator
  • Game systems – PlayStation, Xbox etc
  • High voltage networks
  • Industrial and commercial applications
  • Jib crane motors
  • Kettle
  • Laptops
  • Medical equipment
  • Network systems
  • Overhead line protection
  • Portable electronics
  • Four-quadrant drives
  • Railways
  • Substations
  • Test equipment
  • Utility networks
  • Vacuum
  • Wireless communication systems
  • X-ray machine
  • Y Transformers
  • Zinc plating machine

GD Rectifiers is a global manufacturer and distributor of products, services and solutions to commercial and industrial users of power electronic components.

They have been supplying electronic components and customised devices to industry engineers, and purchasing specialists for over 50 years.They deliver unrivalled customer service, ensuring high-quality components are delivered on time and in budget, making them one the UK’s leading distributors of power electronic components.

www.gdrectifiers.co.uk