Installation Guide

LED Lighting Surge Protection Modules

Design and Installation Guide

Components That Protect Against Induced Surge Events

Protecting outdoor LED lighting from lightning induced surges requires diverting high voltage/

current transient interference away from sensitive electronics in the lighting ﬁxture. A variety

of surge protective devices (SPDs) are used in outdoor LED lighting to suppress surge energy

and minimize surge impact. These include metal-oxide varistors (MOVs), gas discharge tubes

(GDTs), and transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes (Figure 7). These components are

designed to remain at “standby” in the circuit under normal operation. When an abnormal

high-voltage transient occurs, they activate to absorb the transient energy, then return to

standby mode.

Original transient

GDT

MOV

TVS diode

Time

Voltage

Figure 7. How GDTs, MOVs, and TVS diodes respond to a transient surge to suppress the

threat it poses.

Of the technologies outlined in Table 2, MOVs are preferred and widely used for surge

protection in power distribution panels due to their high surge energy-handling capability

and fast response to transient voltage. Therefore, MOVs are also suitable for use as surge

protection devices in outdoor LED lighting applications.

Technology GDT MOV TVS Diode

Surge Handling Capability

(8/20µs)

High

(1kA~100kA)

High

(0.1kA~100kA)

Medium

(0.1kA~15kA)

Response Time

Slow (ns) Fast (ns) Faster (ps)

Max. Clamping Voltage

High Medium Low

Leakage Current

No Low Low

Follow-on Current

Yes No No

Fatigue

Yes Yes No

Table 2. Surge protection device technologies

Components That Protect Against Induced Surge Events