Surge Protection for E-Mobility

EV infrastructure and lightning surges

As the Electrical Vehicles (EV) are now used in many countries and will become the major share of the automative market in the next future, their reliability and those of the charging infrastructure are now a big issue to consider. The availability and safety of the EVs and their related charging stations have been recognized as one of the key elements.

The vast majority of charging stations are connected to the electrical power grid and the risk of surge voltages, coming from lightning events or switching operations, flowing through must be absolutely considered.

Moreover, other types of transient voltages most be considered. As the switchnig surges (coming from switching operation on AC network) and ESD (electrostatic discharge).

The conditions in charging situation change, as the vehicle electronics are now connected to the power grid, and transient voltages will be coupled into the vehicle via this galvanic connection and will come a major threat.

The different charging modes

Normatively, a distinction is made between 4 different charging modes, which are based on the IEC 61851-1 standard. These different charging modes describe various types of installation, depending on these modes the surge protection solution may change.

SPD selection

SPD for main electrical panel

LocationCitel modelSPD type
Main panel / street cabinet

DAC1-13VGS-31-275

Type 1+2+3 - Pluggable - DIN rail
Domestic main panel

DAC50VGS-31-275

Type 2 + 3 - Pluggable - DIN rail

SPD for Charging Terminal

LocationCitel modelSPD type
Wall box - DIN rail

DAC15CS-31-275

Type 2 (or 3) - Compact - Pluggable - DIN rail
Wall box - Printed circuit board mounting

PAC40S-10-275

PAC40GS-10-275

Type 2 for PCB mounting - 230 Vac single-phase or 3-phase+N
Street lighting charging point

DACN10S-21YG-275

Type 2+3 - Monobloc - Compact - DIN rail
Street lighting charging point

DACN10-L21YG-275

Type 2 (or 3) - Monobloc - Compact - DIN rail
PDF-Surge Protection for E-Mobility
Video-Surge Protection for E-Mobility