Consider this: you have spent a lot of money on your electronics- be it your computer, your television, or even sensitive medical equipment at your facility. These are investments that we all make. Then there is a thunderstorm. The electricity is cut and when it returns, your costly equipment is not working anymore. This kind of damage is usually caused by electrical surges and transient overvoltage, which are more frequent than you may imagine.
What then is the answer? Your electrical system can be protected by a Surge Protective Device (SPD) from risks associated with telephone lines. But with the numerous brands in the market, how do you know which brand you can rely on to safeguard your precious equipment? This is a vital question. Selecting the appropriate brand does not only imply buying a product, but also having peace of mind. We have shortlisted the 5 most reliable SPD manufacturers. We will have a closer look.
LSP (China)
- Recommendation Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
- Main Products: Surge Protective Devices, Data Surge Protector, PoE Surge Protector, PCB Mounting Surge Protector, LED Surge Protector
- Founding Year: 2010
- Main Markets: Europe, Russia, Turkey, Vietnam, South Africa
- Certifications: ISO9001, TUV, CB, CE
Specific Description
Since 2010, LSP has been dedicated to the research, design, and manufacturing of surge protective devices (SPD). With more than a decade of experience, we export to over 10 countries and maintain an annual production capacity of 300,000 units. Our factory covers 1,600 square meters, equipped with two automated production lines, operating under strict quality systems certified byISO9001, TUV, CB, and CE.
We take pride in using premium raw materials such as LKD MOVs and Vactech GDTs, which are recognized by top global SPD manufacturers. Our products stand out for their advanced internal disconnection devices, moisture-proof designs, strong lightning current endurance, and compliance with both 8/20 and 10/350 waveform tests. In addition to reliable quality, our products also offer strong market competitiveness with cost-effective solutions, making them an attractive option for both distributors and end users who value reliable performance and competitive pricing. We provide a five-year warranty and ensure fast delivery times.
Customization is our strength: we offer tailored product designs, packaging, 3D modeling support, and certification services to help customers quickly enter their markets. With rigorous quality control, innovative R&D, and responsive global after-sales service, we are committed to becoming one of the world’s top 50 SPD brands.
ABB (Switzerland)
- Recommendation Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
- Main Products: A full spectrum of solutions for overvoltage and lightning protection, covering low, medium, and high-voltage applications for power, data, and signal integrity.
- Founding Year: 1988
- Main Markets: Global
- Certifications: UL, IEC, ANSI/IEEE, CSA
Specific Description
Being a giant in the world electrical engineering industry, the surge protection strategy of ABB is a direct indication of its high reputation in power and automation technologies. The company has a holistic, system-centric philosophy where SPDs are not considered as stand-alone devices but as part of a larger, integrated electrical infrastructure. As an example, their top-of-the-line OVR series is designed to be easily integrated into ABB System pro M distribution systems, providing the best coordination and selectivity. This inherent compatibility is a key distinguishing factor, ensuring coordinated performance and uncompromising reliability throughout an entire, end-to-end ABB installation.
The technical expertise of the ABB SPD portfolio is best demonstrated in its uncompromising safety and reliability, designed to operate without failure in the most challenging mission-critical and industrial applications. The company uses sophisticated proprietary technologies, including its patented quick-safe mechanism, which has a dual purpose: it gives an unambiguous visual indication of the device operational status and ensures a safe failure mode at end-of-life. This invention reduces the ambiguity of diagnosis and strengthens the safety integrity of the whole power distribution system. Whether it is a Type 2 SPD to protect critical control systems or a heavy-duty surge arrester at the transformer secondary, ABB products are designed to deliver outstanding longevity and performance, and are therefore the unquestionable choice of stakeholders who value system integrity.
Schneider Electric (France)
Recommendation Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
- Main Products: SurgeArrest Series, SurgiLogic Product Line, Acti9 SPDs
- Founding Year: 1836
- Main Markets: Global
- Certifications: UL, IEC, CE, CSA, NOM
Specific Description
Schneider Electric is a brand that cannot be separated with the leading edge of energy management and digital automation. The French multinational has a long history of almost two centuries, and it has firmly established itself as a leader in the digitalization of the energy industry. Their surge protection strategy is based on a holistic philosophy that focuses on the protection of sensitive electronic assets in a broad range of applications, including residential and commercial buildings as well as mission-critical data centers. Although the SurgeArrest series is well known in point-of-use applications, the company has the capabilities to go far beyond into highly sophisticated, facility-wide overvoltage protection architectures.
The fundamental innovation that makes Schneider Electric stand out is the high level of integration of intelligent features into their protection devices. Product families such as SurgiLogic and Acti9 are designed specifically to meet the demands of the modern age of smart, connected buildings, and may include advanced diagnostics, predictive end-of-life indicators, and communication protocols to integrate easily with Building Management Systems (BMS) and their IoT-enabled EcoStruxure platform. This connectivity gives facility managers real-time, actionable data, which allows predictive maintenance and significantly minimizes the possibility of unplanned downtime. In short, Schneider Electric provides solutions that are designed to provide the highest system availability and business resilience, making them one of the most progressive manufacturers in the industry.
Phoenix Contact (Germany)
- Recommendation Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
- Main Products: VALVETRAB, PLUGTRAB, TERMITRAB, COAXTRAB
- Founding Year: 1923
- Main Markets: Global, with a strong focus on Industrial Automation
- Certifications: UL, IEC, ATEX, GL, DNV
Specific Description
Phoenix Contact is the embodiment of German engineering, with its accuracy and durability, carefully transferred to the sphere of industrial electronics and automation. Whereas most of the competitors serve a wide market, Phoenix Contact has developed an unquestionable reputation as the leading authority on protection of harsh and complex industrial environments. Their guiding philosophy is the protection of the entire data and power infrastructure, as in the case of a contemporary automated facility, a transient on a data line or sensor cable can be as operationally disastrous as a primary power surge. This philosophy prescribes more detailed and thorough system protection.
This dedication is reflected in their very wide and specialized product range. The VALVETRAB series, as an example, offers rugged protection of AC power systems, and the PLUGTRAB family is designed to offer the fine protection of sensitive instrumentation and control (I&C) loops. They often have advanced multi-stage, hybrid protection circuits in their technology. These circuits cleverly integrate the fast response time of silicon avalanche diodes (SADs) with the high energy-handling capability of gas discharge tubes (GDTs) to provide a co-ordinated defense against the entire range of transient threats. In industrial automation, process control and telecommunications, where system reliability is an absolute requirement, Phoenix Contact is the standard of complete and reliable protection.
DEHN (Germany)
- Recommendation Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
- Main Products: DEHNventil, DEHNguard, BLITZDUCTOR, DEHNshield
- Founding Year: 1910
- Main Markets: Global
- Certifications: UL, IEC, VDE, KEMA-KEUR
Specific Description
DEHN is a pillar of the lightning and surge protection industry, an institution with a long history of pioneering research and specialized expertise that dates back over 100 years. This is a German, family-owned company that does not only act as a manufacturer but also serves as a major research center that has played a significant role in the development of the basic SPD technologies. Their systematic Red/Line (power) and Yellow/Line (data/signal) product categorization offers a rational structure that makes it easy to design co-ordinated multi-level protection schemes, so that no weakness is missed. The technical expertise of the company is so deep that they are often called upon to work on the most difficult and high-profile projects such as renewable energy plants and explosive atmosphere facilities.
The technological foundation of the DEHN offering is its high-tech, short-circuit current-limiting spark gap technology, especially as applied in their DEHNventil combined arresters. This innovation allows a single device to do both Type 1 and Type 2 functions and exhibit a very important capability: the full extinguishment of AC power follow currents after discharge. This follow-current limitation is the most important because it avoids the nuisance tripping of upstream overcurrent protection devices, which ensures maximum system availability. DEHN is an important member of international standards committees and therefore has a strong influence on the technical regulations of the industry. The decision to use DEHN is an investment in unsurpassed technical expertise and a dedication to the strongest protection philosophies in the world.
How to Choose the Right Surge Protection Device Manufacturer for Your Needs
Selecting the Appropriate Surge Protection Device Manufacturer to Suit Your Needs Okay, you have seen the big names. So how do you choose the right one for you? These are some of the things to consider:
- Application is Everything: What are you guarding? An entire house? A multi-million dollar data center? A solar panel array? The response radically alters your requirements. In the case of your home main distribution panels, you will want a Type 2 surge protection device to provide normal operation, especially against the risk of a direct strike. In the case of a factory, you will require that and data line protection. In the case of a solar installation, a special DC SPD will be required. The most effective surge protection device manufacturers will have distinct product lines of different applications.
- Seek Certifications: This is a must. Seek certification such as UL (North America) and IEC (the international standard). This shows that the SPD equipment is tested independently and will not fail when you need it.
- Evaluate Technology, Features and Warranty: A good SPD is not merely a box that passes a standard. Research on the technology they employ, like advanced Thermally Protected MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor) technology, which is safe and long lasting. Think about features that are really user-friendly: Does the device have clear LED status indicators? Do you have replaceable modules, or do you have to replace the whole unit? In critical systems, such features as remote alarm contacts are priceless. Lastly, a good warranty, particularly one that covers connected equipment, demonstrates that the manufacturer is confident in the capability of their product to safeguard your valuable assets.
- Don’t Forget Support: Is technical documentation readily available? Does the manufacturer provide customer support? A quality manufacturer of surge protection devices supports their products.
Key Trends Shaping the Future of Surge Protection
The surge protection world is not standing on the spot. It is changing rapidly! There is a massive shift to so-called smart SPDs that can inform you when they need to be replaced. It is a game changer in critical systems where you cannot afford any protection gaps.
The other mega trend is the emphasis on renewable energy. As solar and wind power are increasingly used, the need to have high quality dc surge protection devicesolutions is soaring. Manufacturers are in a rush to develop more efficient and reliable products to safeguard these green energy investments against direct lightning strike events and grid fluctuations. The future is interconnected, and it will run on clean energy, and all of it will require protection.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, a surge protective device is an insurance policy on your electrical installation that assists in diverting the damaging surge current to safeguard your electrical equipment. You hope you never have to use it, but you will be so glad you have it when a voltage surge inevitably occurs. One of the best investments you can make to protect your sensitive electronic equipment is to invest in a quality cable TV surge protection product made by one of the top-tier surge protection device manufacturers we have listed. LSP provides SPDs that are highly competitive in both performance and cost, which makes them a good option to distributors who want to have reliable alternatives and end users who require reliable protection. Our products are safe and economical in all applications with premium materials, certified production, and five-year warranty. Do not wait until a disaster happens. Inspect your electrical system, determine what you require, and insure yourself.
