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National Electrical Code (NEC)

Requirements for Surge Protective Devices
 National Electrical Code (NEC)
Requirements for Surge Protective Devices

In the United States, The National Electrical Code® (NEC®) sets forth installation requirements for electrical systems and
equipment, including Surge Protective Devices (SPDs).1 The NEC provides guidance regarding where SPDs should and
should not be used and how they may be installed in electrical power distribution systems. The following narrative identifies
and describes key provisions of the NEC.

CODE ADOPTION

In any review of the NEC, it is important to understand its revision and adoption process. The NEC is revised once every
three years, then republished as a new edition. In the United States, any new edition becomes effective locally after it is
formally adopted by a state or local agency having jurisdiction. Because the timing of adoption by each state differs, four
different editions of the NEC were in effect in the United States on August 1, 2018. In addition, three states had not adopted
any edition for state-wide use. The status of effective editions is shown in Figure 1.
 

WA
NH ME
MT ND VT
OR MN
ID MA
SD WI NY
WY MI RI
PA CT
NE IA NJ
NV OH
UT IL IN DE
CA CO 0.9364
WV inVA MD
KS MO KY
NC
TN
AZ OK
NM AR SC
MS AL GA
LA
TX
AK
FL

HI
2017 NEC® 2008 NEC®
2014 NEC ®
No Statewide NEC® Adoption
2011 NEC®

Figure 1: National Electrical Code Editions in Effect on August 1, 20182

1
National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code®, Fourteenth Edition, 2017. Quincy, Massachusetts, 2016.
2
National Fire Protection Association, National Electrical Code in Effect August 1, 2018. https://www.nfpa.org/NEC/NEC-adoption-and-use/NEC-adoption-maps, viewed 8/28/18.

2
Most states that have not adopted the latest version of the NEC have initiated a review process for adopting an edition of
the code. While the latest edition of the code may not be required locally when a project is designed, many NEC changes
are made to improve safety. Because updates typically do not conflict with older provisions, designing to the latest edition
can improve overall facility design. Applicable local codes should also be reviewed.

For instance, Pennsylvania currently uses the 2008 NEC, and is presently reviewing the 2014 edition for adoption. When
planning projects, it is important to know the edition in effect for the project location and to monitor the status of adoption
processes in the project location.

ESSENTIAL NEC PROVISIONS 500 SE RIES

Model 570
Data Sheet

Model
570 Nu
m ber Co
570 nfigurat

Article 285 – Surge Protective Devices

Benefits: & Optio or
Model • 
570
SAD/MOV Hybr

id
Fourth Edition Liste
d ns
A-375kA per mode
)
A perP
Product
Line• UL 1449 phase ratings (125k n included inside
Voltage
• 250kA – 750k OCP & Safet
Cod
y Coordinatio
 Side ofDisco
es
Main Disconnect
• All UL required ed for Line or Load MainA
Per Pha
se
Comm intend nnect
kA Rati
1 SPDs

kA Rati
– Type of ng
on ed for Load Side
ng
120S = Systems
System Per Pha
– Type 2 SPDs intend 
se Modes
of
240/1 Protecti
120Y
= 208Y 20V Sp•lit20kA 
Connec
inal on
PhaseInom
tion


Typ
240H /12 compliant e
Monitori

Essential provisions regarding SPDs have been part of the

= 240/1 0V Wy • e200k A- SCCR
1Ø, 3W+G
= Label
A er
Mast
ng
- 3Ø 4W , (Fig ction
Options
rndProte

Enclosu
277Y
= 480Y 20V High• Le ULg 96A +G rndning
Light 1) Desig
Alln Stand re
2) e Module
, (Figceabl Modes ard
UL 1449
480D /27 Delta (B t Repla
= 480V 7V Wy•e -Redu 3Ø 4W ndan High), (Fi nnect Switch for Type1/T
ype 2 Accesso
Other
Available Delta - 3Ø• 3W rnd, (Fiy Disco
g 3) thagurab le ry/
Optio +GRotar
nal y confi t Voltage Option(
Design – Highl Conts
s)
120N Systems +Grnd, g 2)
Spec)ific

NEC through several editions. Added in 2002 and amended

= 120V Volta
- Co•nfi ge (Fi de (D moni tored
208D Single rmation g4MOV & G ression eleme efault 1 = UL
230Y
= 208
V Delta
Phase
• All
(Fig and HRsupp
5) SAD courag
En Wye Delete
Opt
Mode )
2 = UL 1449 Type 1
- 3Ø, 3W ed ction ions &
Alt.er optional)
230N
= 400Y
/230V rnd Mode
• All
+G s of Prote r WarraCon nty
Con (long 1449 Ty
Parts, 5 Year Labo
= 230 Wy (Fig 4) figu rations (Includ pe 2,
240N V Single e - 3Ø•4W 10+GYear tact Fac : and cUL 283 Filt es UL1
= 240 Phase rnd (Fig

thereafter, Article 285 – Surge Protective Devices, 1000 Volts

(Fig 5) tory Markin er
240C V Single 2) Canada g for
240D
= 240
V
= 240 B Corner Grnd
Phase
(Fig 5)
- NoDesi gn Attri butes C = Co )
V Delta t split mp
consisres tent with:
277N - 3Ø 3W Delta, 3Ø 3W+G phaseManufactured & T Tested
= Th sion Lu 5-2002,
ifications 277S == 277V Single Pha ned, rou gh-D 02, gs (Defau
C62.4 0 = No
Performance Spec N-G
+Grnd Desigrnd
(Fig 4) (Fig 6) C62.41.1-2002, C62.4 1.2-20 oor Rotar lt) Book) Trailing
400D L-N 480/24L-G se (Fig 5) ANSI/ IEEE Disconn1100-2 005 (Emer
y ald
–

or Less describes types of SPDs and the corresponding

= 400V 0V Spl 25 = 2-2016 , IEEE SA ect Switch Ac
X = Ye cessory/Option
it Phase,
Surge Capacities 480C
= 480 De lta - 3Ø 125kA
125kA or C62.62-2010, C62.7 250kA
) 125kA , +G Two legs of Wy 285 (125kA PePer Phase s Trailin
(125kA Per Mode480H = 480 V B160kACorner 3W rnd NEC® Article 670.6, 695.15, 700.8
&
Accessor g
250kA Per Phase Grn160kA (Fig – e, (Call) 32 = r Mo,de
320k(E), 645.18 G = NE
160kA/240V High d Delta, 3Ø 4) s 620.51 ) y/Option
(160kA Per Mode
)
Delta (B 3W+G
Leg200kA –rnd NEC® Article (160kA Per Phase H = NE MA 1/12/3R/4
320kA Per Phase 200kA 200kA High), (Fig requir ing=SPDs A Per Mo Protection
40 MA 4X Ste
(Fig 3)7086)

locations for their installation. The article also presents basic

A Per Mode) 400kA Lightning
Per Ph )
de Stainle el
Per Phase (200k (20 780
(Display
400kA 250kA 250kA
250kA 96A and NFPA – UL ss
0kA Pe ase ory C High applications N = No
Insi de Steel
(250kA Per Mode
) 50 =
50 0k n for Mo
l Desig r Categde) Enclosur Door)
500kA Per Phase 375kA 375kA High Energy Paralle(250kA Per PhaseDistrib ution Equipment, custom e - op
(375kA Per Mode
) D
375kA .44” 75 = ting onA Electr Per Mo ical oards, mountin en style for
750kA Per Phase For External Moun 750kA de)
r Ph Control
Centers, Panelb Con enclosure g within
Type 1 or Type 2
[11.1]

but important provisions regarding the use of SPDs. These

PeMotor another
Editio n Listed 9.0”
gear, Switch 5kA s,
board
(37
Per Moase
tact fac
tory
UL 1449 Fourth [229] Switch Display for oth
Editio n tested Inominal (In): 20kA Transfer Switch
es, etc. de)
A = Gr and MOVs
Harnes er
s length options such
UL 1449 Fourth ted SADs een & Re for cus as
: 200kA & Thermally Protec tom inst Remote
Editio n tested SCCR Individually Fused MOV Const Twructio d
o set n LEDs, Audib
allation
s.
UL 1449 Fourth s (VPRs): Phenolic Coated C = A (ab s of)Dr le Alarm
Protection Rating

include requirements to connect SPDs to each ungrounded

round y
WithCo
Edition Voltage C Robus t 25mm
che=Diode s (SADs
ove nta ct w/ Silence
UL 1449 Fourth as low as 700V back)A leaded Silicon AvalanT
D A (abov ) plus Surge Co Relays Switch,
– 208Y/120V: as low as 1000V (data table on Heavy-Duty Axial- Circuitry= Active e) plus Dual unter
– 480Y/277V: SurgeInductive Transitioning Surge Mo Surge Co
Precision Rating nitor (Se unter
Noise Rejection: 1283) Co SADs
Bidirectional nn
and MOVs e Pub. DS s
EMI/RFI Filtering um – UL 1449 Type 2 SPD (UL ectio

connector at the point of use;3 installing only listed SPDs;4

Solid State n Type -70137
– 63dB Maxim um – UL 1449 Type 1 SPD
125kA & SL-70
Wire Lug AxB 109)
– 25dB Maxim Btime
econd response Third 160kA-Party
Testing Discon
nect
16” x 12”
(406 x C
Less than 1 nanos Figure 200kA
dWir-eThird Party Verified
305)
17.25” (43 D
Weight
1 se Teste Lug Up To Surge 8)
Single Impul

and using leads that are no longer than necessary and

Discon. To Each
style)
16”
Modex’s16”Rating
(406 x 9.5” (24
1) 35lb
g
}itorine A (Black) Fig r NEMA LS-1 406)
Diagnostic Mon} V
Phas ure (forme nec t 17.2 (15.9kg
ored, 2including N-G
5” (438) )
Of 200kA 20” x 16”
V NeutralSAD & MOV is monit Generator Limit (508 x
Impulse Testin 406g):
10” (25
4) 45l
– Every on modules) Figure 3
Phase
100% monitoring Testing (Repetitive
(White) A (Blac ) 21.2 b (20.4kg
Phase
B per phase (Redu
ndant LEDs
A k)
B Phas Life Cycle Surge impulses Per (54
5” Mode0) 10” )
indicator (Blac C High 20kV, 10kA
e B (Blac

avoiding unnecessary bends.5

k)
Fig (254)
Green LED Status Ground (Gre
Phase
N k) A (Blac
ure IEEE
15,000 4 es Per Phase 55lb (24
20kV, 10kA impuls
Neutral k)

}
(White) Phase 250kA .9kg)
indicator en) 30,000 IEEE C High
B (Ora
Red LED service Silence Switch nge)
le Alarm
V
with }V Fig ure impuls es Per Mode
ion, Audib Phas
A High 20kV,
10kA 5
Built-in Autom2SP atedLITTest Funct
C
Ground
e C (Blac
k) Phase
C (Blac
Neutral 320kA-500k
k) }
V PhaseC
A 30,000 IEEE (Black) 20kV, 10kA impulses Per Phase Figure
}
(Green)
Phases,Two Sets, 250V, 5A (White)
60,000 IEEE Phase C High
6
1 Groucts,
A (Blaces Per Mode
Phase
Form C Dry Conta WYE ers; 6 digit, w/test & reset
Ground B (Blac
1 Neutr (Green) k) impuls
Phase C High 20kV, 10kA
k)
nd er & Dual al,Surge Count V
3 Phase 45,000 IEEE C (Blac es Per Phase
Optional Surge Count s, 1DS-70
Neutr137 & SL-701 09 750kA-1000kA Ground C High 20kV, 10kA
k) impuls
Neutral
}V Phase A (Black)
1 ,Gr
seeoupub. HIGH LE 90,000 IEEE
(White)
Surge Monitor (ASM) nd al, G DELT
(Green)

Availa ble Active (B Hig h) 3 Ph A Ground

(Green) Phase
C (Blac
Perform (B High), ases, DELTA k)

ance Da &

Article 285 also prohibits certain uses of SPDs, and

& EValidation
Ground
1
1 Ground Neutral, 3 Phase HR GsWY (Green)

Physical Specifica
tions ta Quality, Stans,dard 1 Grou nd n SINGLE POLE
sing 1
ity Range : 0 – 95% non-conden Type 1 UL 1449 Fourth Editio 1 Phase, 1 NeutrcUL for Canad
Grou CO a
Relative Humid Common Po n, UL 1283, al, RN
47-63 Hz we r 2 (Opt.) UL 1449 Fourth Editio nd DELTAER GROUND
Frequency: Sy Type 2 Phase(B grounded)

prohibits installing SPDs where voltages or fault currents

Operating stems
120S = (185˚F) 79
umYOpera24ting 0/120Temperature: 85˚C UL file: VZCA.E3242
s, 1 Grou
nd
Maxim120 V lit Enclosure Voltage UL 144prior to shipment
240H = 201/12/3 8Y R/4SpSteel Ph ProtecBurn-
= 24 /120V
NEMA 3Ø Wyease SwitchL-N : tion Ra in tested 9 Fourt
Stand ard
277 Y = 48 0/120V B Hig Capac ity & Disconnect tings (VPQuality hManag Editioement
n Test
System
480D 0Yby/27Surge 70(16kg) L-G ISO 9001:2008 R - 3kA) Da
7V 3Ø h m icationta

exceed device ratings.6,7 Those ratings include the Short-

Size/W eight= 48vary Leg De x 229mm), 35lbs 0V
0V 9”
x lta (406m Wy e x 305m lta 70 0V (39kg ) 70 N- G Labor atory Qualif
Opt 16” x 12”De 70),0/185lbs 0V 17025:2005
– ion Min:
al rota ry disc
20” x 9” (508m m x 508mm x 229mm 20 0V 700V ISO 700V L-L I
– Max: 20” x onn
0VAWG) 700/1200V
ect #1/0
switch #8 -100
nal Disconnect: 700V n
may incr 1000V SCCR
Power#14 - #1/0 AWG (Optio ease VPRs
ASCO
—
er 1200V 700V 100 20kA MCOV
145 50 size:
Lug Tec
58th St. hnologies 30-70A circuit break 1000/1 0V

Circuit Current Rating required by Article 285.7. These

Nor ction: #4 AWG and
1800V 1000V 20kA 200kA
50
Typical conneth, Clearw
ater, FL — 1800V 0V 20kA 200kA 150
33760 1800V 20kA 200kA 150
20kA 200kA 150 / 32
200kA 0
320

ratings can be found on a manufacturer’s product data custom

erc
© Copyrigare@ascopow surge.asc
opower
552

er.c

sheet. A data sheet example is shown in Figure 2.

ht May
2018. Pub om • 1-800- .com
lication 237
DS-701 -4567
00 Rev
L

Figure 2: Manufacturer’s data sheets

provide ratings for each SPD model.

3
National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code®, Fourteenth Edition, 2017. Quincy, Massachusetts, 2016. p. 70-132.
4
Ibid.
5
Ibid. p. 70-133.
6
Ibid. p. 70-132.
7
Ibid.

3
 Article 708 - Critical Operations Power Systems

In 2008, Article 708 - Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS) was added to the NEC in response to events such as
terrorist attacks and hurricanes in the United States. Article 708.2 defines COPS as, “Power systems for facilities or parts
of facilities that require continuous operation for the reasons of public safety, emergency management, national security
or business continuity.” 8 Examples of facilities that utilize COPS include hospitals, data centers, police stations, 9-1-1 call
centers, or critical portions of larger facilities. Important provisions for these facilities include:

–– 708.20(D) - Surge Protective Devices, which states, “Surge protective devices shall be provided at all facility distribution
voltage levels.” 9

–– 708.14(4) - Wiring of HVAC, Fire Alarm, Security, Emergency Communications and Signaling Systems, which states,
“Listed secondary protectors shall be provided at the terminals of the communication circuits.” 10

Installation of SPDs in a power system regulated by Article 708 must support the selective coordination practices applied
to overcurrent devices, which must be specified by a professional engineer or other qualified person. Specific requirements
are provided in Article 708.54.11

SUBSEQUENT NEC CHANGES

In October of 2014, the Fire Protection Research Foundation issued a document entitled, Data Assessment for Electrical Surge
Protection Devices - Phase 1, Final Report.12 This report surveyed and summarized the impacts of transient overvoltages
to electrical power distribution systems and equipment.

The findings influenced the development and adoption of new NEC Code articles requiring SPDs to be installed to protect
the emergency power system of regulated facilities. The most important 2014 and 2017 NEC changes regarding SPDs
include those in the following sections.

8
Ibid. p. 70-600.
9
Ibid. p. 70-602.
10
Ibid.
11
Ibid. p. 70-604.
12
Fire Protection Research Foundation, Data Assessment for Electrical Surge Protection Devices - Phase 1, Final Report. Quincy, Massachusetts, 2016

4
Article 700

The provisions of Article 700 - Emergency Systems apply to

“… electrical safety emergency systems consisting of circuits and equipment intended to supply, distribute,
and control electricity for illumination, power, or both, to required facilities when the normal electrical supply
or system is interrupted.” 13

Circuits and equipment that provide illumination, ventilation, elevator, fire alarm, and fire pump functions to allow occupants
to safely exit a building are all examples of Emergency Systems under Article 700. Within the section, Article 700.8 - Surge
Protection requires that a listed SPD be installed in or on the switchboards and panelboards of all emergency systems
to protect equipment from hazards associated with transient overvoltages.14 The article does not further specify the
characteristics of SPDs that should be used.

Because Article 517 – Healthcare Facilities references Article 700, certain systems in healthcare facilities are impacted
by Article 700 provisions. Article 517.26 states, “The life safety branch of the essential electrical system shall meet the
requirements of Article 700, except as amended by Article 517.” 15 To understand the reference, it is important to understand
how Article 517 defines the Life Safety Branch, which is shown in Figure 3 as part of a facility’s Essential Electrical System.

Normal Emergency
Source Source

ATS ATS ATS

Non-Essential Equipment Life Safety Critical

System Branch Branch Branch

Essential Electrical System

Figure 3: The Life Safety Branch is best understood in the context of the
Essential Electrical System that Article 517 defines for healthcare facilities.

The NEC defines the Life Safety Branch as, “A system of feeders and branch circuits supplying power for lighting, receptacles,
and equipment essential for life safety that is automatically connected to alternate power sources by one or more transfer
switches during interruption of the normal power source.” 16 Examples of equipment served by the Life Safety Branch include:

• illumination for egress

• exit signage
• alarm and alerting systems
• communications systems
• generator locations and generator accessories
• elevators
• automatic doors

Consequently, these systems must be protected by installing SPDs on the panelboards and switchboards that serve them.

13
National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code®, Fourteenth Edition, 2017. Quincy, Massachusetts, 2016. p. 70-581.
14
Ibid. p. 583.
15
Ibid. p. 423.
16
Ibid. p. 70-419.

5
 OTHER IMPORTANT PROVISIONS

Article 620 - Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators, Moving Walks, Platform Lifts, and Stairway Chairlifts

Article 620 sets for requirements elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, platform lifts, and stairway chairlifts,
and was updated in the 2017 Edition. Within the section, Article 620.51 provides various requirements for the disconnecting
means that must be provided for this equipment. It further states, “Where any of the disconnecting means in 620.51 has
been designated as supplying an emergency system load, surge protection shall be provided.” 17

Article 645 - Critical Operations Data Systems

Article 645.2 defines a Critical Operations Data System as, “An information technology equipment system that requires
continuous operation for reasons of public safety, emergency management, national security, or business continuity.” Article
645.18 requires surge protection for all such systems.18

Article 670 – Industrial Machinery

Article 670 addresses “the definition of, the nameplate data for, and the size and
overcurrent protection of supply conductors to industrial machinery.” 19 Because
electronic safety devices must be able to protect people from injury at all times,
installing surge protection protect devices can protect equipment from surges to
help ensure proper and safe operation. Article 670.6 thus requires that industrial
machinery with electronic interlocks must have surge protection devices installed.

Article 695 – Fire Pumps

Other electronic safety devices that must work when needed include fire pumps that
supply fire suppression systems. Article 695.15 states, “A listed surge protective
device shall be installed in or on the fire pump controller.” An ASCO Power
Technologies Fire Pump Controller is shown in Figure 4.

SUMMARY

Triennial revisions to the NEC make it important to track the editions of the code that
is in effect for a project location. The NEC articles referenced herein constitute the
bulk of requirements regarding the location and use of SPD in power distribution
system. A look-up table summarizing key SPD-related NEC requirements is provided Figure 4: Providing SPDs on
fire pump controllers helps
as follows.
ensure reliable operation
during an emergency event.
Key 2017 NEC Surge Protection Provisions
Article Application Requirements
285 Surge Protective Devices 285.4, 285.6, 285.12, 285.3, 285.7
517 Healthcare Facilities 517.2, 517.26
620 Elevators/Escalators 620.51
645 IT/Data Systems 645.18
670 Industrial Machinery 670.6
695 Fire Pumps 695.15
700 Emergency Systems 700.1, 700.8
708 Critical Operations Power Systems 708.2, 708.10(D), 708.14(4)

17
Ibid. p 70-508.
18
Ibid. p. 70-528.
19
Ibid. p. 540.

6
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Florham Park, NJ 07932
Tel: 800 800 ASCO
customercare@ascopower.com

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Clearwater, FL 33760
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727 535 6339 (Outside U.S.)
Fax: 727 539 8955

WP-50027 (r- 09/18)

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