Checking surge protective devices: What can you do to get your insurer to pay your claim?
Having your electrical equipment damaged during a storm can prove very costly; to make matters worse, it can be quite difficult to get compensation from your insurer. Learn what measures you can take to boost your chances of a successful claim and avoid any trouble with your insurance policy.
Electrical damage during a storm
A TV set, refrigerator, gaming console, audio equipment, central heating furnace, heat pump and several other expensive appliances were damaged because they were plugged into power sockets during a storm with intense lightning. With an insurance policy in place, the client estimated the losses at tens of thousands of zlotys and submitted a claim to the insurance company, calmly waiting for compensation to be paid out.
Refusal to pay compensation
The insurer sent an expert, who confirmed the damage and requested to be able to review the design, installation method and inspection certificates for the electrical system in the relatively new building (constructed in 2011). After a few days, the client received a claim denial, with the reason being discrepancies between the electrical system design and its actual installation, along with missing inspection certificates.
Issues with the electrical system
Further correspondence revealed that the contractor used different surge protective devices than those specified in the design and failed to provide inspection certificates for them. Does the client have a chance of winning a civil lawsuit and receiving full compensation?
Typically, courts reject lawsuits against transmission operators or insurance companies when contracts include clauses that protect them from potential claims. An uninformed client may overlook these provisions. So, how can you boost your chances in a dispute with your insurer?
Image 1. Checking surge protective devices
Use tried and tested surge protective devices
Using surge protective devices (SPDs) other than those specified in the design is allowed, but it must be agreed upon with the designer and investor, while maintaining the original installation parameters. It is recommended to choose high-quality surge protective devices from trusted manufacturers and avoid cheap alternatives, particularly from Asia. According to a report from the Rzeszów University of Technology and Białystok University of Technology, 12 out of 16 tested surge protective devices failed to meet the manufacturer’s declared parameters.1
If the client can prove that the surge protective device used is of the same type, has the same specifications and has been installed as designed, with the required separation distances, the chances of a positive resolution are very high.
Ensure proper documentation for each inspection
It is much harder to account for missing documentation, particularly the inspection certificate for the surge protective devices themselves. The insurer has the right to request up-to-date technical inspections from the insured. In this case, the court will appoint an independent expert specialising in lightning protection and electrical systems. This expert will confirm that lightning protection standards are set by the regulations under the Building Law, and there should be no exceptions or non-obligatory application of these standards.
Check the functionality of your surge protective devices
Pay special attention to the provisions of:
- IEC 60364-4-44:2024 Low-voltage electrical installations - Part 4-44: Protection for safety - Protection against voltage disturbances and electromagnetic disturbances.
- IEC 62305-3:2024 Protection against lightning - Part 3: Physical damage to structures and life hazard, with section D.6.7 stating that “Surge protective devices (SPDs) (and their protective measures, if applicable) shall be inspected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions at intervals not exceeding 12 months or whenever electrical tests of the LPS are performed. SPDs should also be inspected whenever an object is suspected to have been struck by lightning.” It should be emphasised that an LPS (Lightning Protection System) refers to a lightning protection system installed both externally and internally, including SPDs in the main distribution board of the building. An inspection certificate for the LPS, including surge protective devices (SPDs), will serve as a compelling piece of evidence at court. It will demonstrate your utmost diligence in preventing sudden and transient voltage surges in the electrical network.
Notably, section E.7.2.4 of the referenced standard states that “SPDs without visual indicators require testing, preferably using guidelines or devices provided by the manufacturer.” The problem is that a visual indicator alone does not guarantee that an SPD, especially one of questionable quality from Asia, is functioning properly and remains operational. In addition, not all manufacturers provide devices for testing their products; those who do so often take precautions to prevent these devices from being used to test competitors’ products (e.g., by incorporating RFID codes inside their SPDs). Moreover, the prices of these devices, mostly single-function ones, are exceptionally high.
Using an insulation resistance meter with an SPD testing feature
One solution could be an insulation resistance meter with a voltage ramp function and rapid voltage cut-off when a leakage current of 1 mA is detected. This value is directly derived from IEC 61643-11:2011: Low-voltage surge protective devices - Part 11: Surge protective devices connected to low-voltage power systems - Requirements and test met. Note that surge protective devices (SPDs) are often constructed using varistors, which degrade over time. This degradation is primarily due to leakage current, i.e. a small current passing through the varistor from the phase conductor to ground. Initially, this current is approximately 1 mA, but it increases over time, causing the varistor to overheat and eventually leading too a short-circuit. In some surge protective devices (SPDs), a similar but lesser effect is created by operating current, which flows between phases or, by direct current, conventionally from the “+” terminal to the “−” terminal. The degradation is influenced also by factors such as the following:
- elevated temperature (e.g. in PV systems),
- humidity,
- the number of properly diverted surges.
Furthermore, direct current accelerates the aging of the varistor’s structure more than alternating current.
On the domestic market, a Polish company specialising in electrical measurement instruments offers a device that verifies the maximum continuous operating voltage (Uc) declared by the SPD manufacturer. In residential installations, this is typically Uc = 260…335 V AC.
While in photovoltaic installations, the maximum continuous operating voltage (UCPV) can exceed 1500 V DC.
In ICT installations, which also require surge protective devices, voltages usually range from several to several dozen volts.
“One of our insulation resistance meters has recently been upgraded with a new feature to enable the testing of SPDs. Our Sonel MIC-2511 meter converts the measurement voltage from DC to AC and classifies the SPD type as either varistor-based or spark-gap-based. The measurement process is straightforward and takes an experienced technician no more than a minute per SPD. Just disconnect the surge protective device from its base or, preferably, turn off the power during the measurement. Then, select the SPD feature and choose the maximum continuous operating voltage. This selection is necessary only for compliance assessment (pass/fail),” explains Marcin Wojewoda, Product Marketing Manager at Sonel S.A.
Image 2. Checking surge protective devices with the Sonel MIC-2511 meter
Summary
In Poland, depending on the region, we have an average of 20-30 stormy days per year. In Central Europe, this range increases to 20-40 days, while Southern Europe sees 30-60 days. In South America (in the Amazon region), this figure varies between 150 and even 200 days. It is important to take measures to protect your property from surges. If damage occurs despite precautions, make sure that your insurer has no grounds to deny your claim.
To avoid problems with your claim, here is what you should bear in mind:
- Have your electrical system regularly (at least every 5 years, or whenever there is suspicion of a lightning strike) inspected, as confirmed by an inspection report from a certified electrician.
- Use surge protective devices (SPDs) from reputable manufacturers. Their opinion and certificates from accredited laboratories will serve as strong evidence in court.
- Regularly check whether you surge protective devices are in working order, using either devices from SPD manufacturers or an insulation resistance meter with SPD testing features.
- Thoroughly review the terms of your property insurance policy. Where any clauses are unclear, ask for a written interpretation. Pay close attention to situations where your insurer might refuse to pay your claim.
Author: Sonel S.A.
Przypisy:
[1] The Problem of Surge Arrester Standards on the Polish Market (text in Polish)
