Surge Protection for Golf Course Sprinkler Pumps

Golf Course
Golf Course

OVERVIEW

Modern golf courses rely heavily on sophisticated sprinkler systems to maintain their greens and fairways. These systems often include sensitive electronic components that are vulnerable to electrical surges. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety study found that $26 billion dollars was lost due to non-lightning power surges. In addition, there are about 25 million lightning strikes in the US each year that cause between $650M to $1B in losses according to the Insurance Information Institute, State Farm©.

Why Surge Protectors are Essential for Golf Course Sprinkler Pumps

NEC/NFPA 70 require that Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) shall be UL1449 Listed. This means selecting a surge protector is easier than it has ever been. There are only a few choices available for SPDs that are UL Listed for any of the most commonly used surge standards including UL1449 5th Edition, UL497B, and UL497E.

  • Sensitive Equipment: Sprinkler systems are increasingly reliant on delicate electronics that can be damaged by unexpected electrical surges.
  • Financial Impact: Unprotected systems can lead to costly repairs and replacements, not to mention the potential for course downtime.
  • Safety and Compliance: Using surge protectors helps ensure that the systems remain safe and compliant with electrical safety standards.
    • Main Service Panel | PLC Cabinet | Motor Control Cabinet | Motor

      Recommended SPD for Main Service Panel

      LocationEquipmentSystemSurge Protector Model#Link
      Main-Panel Main Panelboard480Vac MDS750E-480D MDS750E-480D

      Recommended SPD for PLC Cabinet

      LocationEquipmentSystemSurge Protector Model#Link
      MCC Allen Bradley PLC Cabinet120-240Vac
      Power Input
      DS72US-240T/NN DS72US-240TNN

      P/S24Vdc
      Power Output
      DS220S-24DC

      Analog
      Sensors
      4-20mA DLA-24D3 DLA-24D3 v.2

      Discrete I/ORS-485 DLA-12D3 DLA-24D3 v.2

      Network
      Switch
      Ethernet
      Cat 6A
      MJ8-C6A MJ8-C6A

      Radio
      Transmitter
      SCADA
      Wireless
      P8AX09-6G-N/FF P8AX09-6G-N-FF

      Recommended SPD for Motor Control Center (MCC)

      LocationEquipmentSystemSurge Protector Model#Link
      MCC Motor Control
      Center
      480Vac
      Power Input
      DS74US-480D DS74US-480D

      Power Supply120-240Vac
      Power Input
      DS72US-240T/NN DS72US-240TNN

      P/S24Vdc
      Power Output
      DS220S-24DC DS220S-24DC

      Analog
      Sensors
      4-20mA DLA-24D3 DLA-24D3 v.2

      Discrete I/ORS-485 DLA-12D3 DLA-24D3 v.2

      Network
      Switch
      Ethernet
      Cat 6A
      MJ8-C6A MJ8-C6A

      Recommended SPD for Motors

      LocationEquipmentSystemSurge Protector Model#Link
      Motor 200hp Motor480Vac
      Power Input
      M50-480D-A M50-A


      0-240Vac
      Relay Input
      DS71US-275 DS71US-275

      Determining the acceptability of an SPD
      for UL 508A Industrial Control Panels and All Other UL Listed Equipment

      The UL inspector will first consider the SPD type when determining it’s acceptability for a given application or piece of equipment. This will include UL 508A as well as all other UL Listed equipment. The first level compliance is based on the UL Approval (LISTED or RECOGNIZED) of the SPD or UL SPD Type and it’s Suitable Ratings. This means that it has to meet all safety, performance, environmental and electrical system ratings of the application. If any of these criteria are not fully met, it will require a Procedure Description, a File Update and/or Additional Testing. These actions will require additional costs that may be substantial. For this reason, it is in the interest of the specifier to use UL LISTED SPD’s to eliminate any uncertainty or to make sure the UL RECOGNIZED SPD is selected at the time of UL submittal of the equipment.

      Approval Considerations Table based on UL SPD Type

      UL
      Mark
      UL1449
      SPD Type
      Suitable
      Ratings
      Procedure
      Described
      File
      Update or
      Additional
      Testing
      Notes
      1

      2
      YesNoNoThe only requirement is that the SPD must match electrical and environmental ratings of the UL 508A Control Panel.

      A UL field inspection of the control panel with the SPD installed is required as a part of a standard follow-up service visit.
      1CA

      2CA

      4CA

      5
      YesYesYesYes – All UL recognized SPD’s require a UL engineering evaluation of the SPD’s existing UL1449 E–file.

      This will result, at a minimum, in a cost to update the UL file and may also require testing that would result in additional costs.

      Contact us to develop a surge mitigation solution for your application

      Where to purchase Citel SPD's