Tech Trends: Advanced Surge Suppression Technologies

Jan. 20, 2025
How to protect security systems from EMPs, power surges and lightning strikes

This article originally appeared in the January 2025 issue of Security Business magazine. Don’t forget to mention Security Business magazine on LinkedIn and @SecBusinessMag on Twitter if you share it.

In today’s interconnected world, the need to safeguard security systems from various threats has never been more critical. Some of the most overlooked but potentially devastating risks to electronic systems are electromagnetic pulse (EMP) events, power surges, and lightning strikes. These phenomena can cause significant damage to electronic components, potentially rendering security systems inoperable at times when they are most needed.

Fortunately, modern technology offers advanced solutions to ensure that security systems remain operational, even during extreme events.

Understanding the Threats

Before diving into the specific technologies that protect security systems, it is important to understand the nature of these threats:

Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) events can result from natural or man-made sources. Solar storms, for instance, can release large bursts of electromagnetic energy that interfere with electrical systems on Earth. Similarly, nuclear detonations at high altitudes create EMPs that can cripple electronic systems across wide areas. The effects are sudden and widespread, causing irreversible damage to circuits unless appropriate protection is in place.

EMP shielding is one of the most critical technologies for protecting security systems from electromagnetic pulses. The key is to create a protective barrier that prevents electromagnetic energy from reaching sensitive electronic components.

Power surges occur when there is a brief but intense spike in voltage within an electrical circuit. Common causes include problems with the power grid, such as faults or switching operations, as well as nearby lightning strikes. Surges can damage sensitive electronics by overwhelming their design capacity, resulting in component failure and system downtime.

Lightning strikes are perhaps the most recognized threat to electronic systems. With the potential to deliver millions of volts, a direct lightning strike can instantly destroy unprotected electronics. Even indirect strikes, which induce high-voltage transients into nearby power lines or data cables, can severely damage electronic security systems.

Given these threats, security consultants and integrators need to advocate for the implementation of robust protective measures, especially in critical facilities, to ensure security systems stay operational during extreme events. Companies like Altronix and LifeSaftey Power offer a host of products designed to supply and protect at the component level, while companies like EMPShield have products designed to protect everything connected to the power circuit, providing comprehensive protection. Many other companies offer similar products.

Shielding against EMPs

EMP shielding is one of the most critical technologies for protecting security systems from electromagnetic pulses. The key is to create a protective barrier that prevents electromagnetic energy from reaching sensitive electronic components.

Faraday cages are metallic enclosures that protect equipment from EMPs by blocking electromagnetic fields. This is achieved by surrounding the sensitive equipment with a conductive layer, which distributes the electromagnetic charge around the cage rather than through the equipment inside.

EMP-hardened cables and components: Another critical aspect of protecting against EMPs is ensuring that all cables and components are hardened against electromagnetic interference. Shielded cables with appropriate grounding can prevent EMPs from entering a system through power or data lines.

Surge suppression devices incorporated into power and communication lines of security systems can also help mitigate the effects of an EMP by redirecting or absorbing excess energy before it reaches sensitive electronics.

Power Surge Protection

Power surges are a common occurrence, often caused by irregularities in the power grid or nearby electrical faults. Modern surge protection technologies have advanced significantly, offering multiple layers of defense against surges.

Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) are designed to detect and limit voltage spikes. These devices act as gatekeepers, allowing normal voltage to pass through while diverting surges to the ground. Modern SPDs can respond in nanoseconds to prevent surges from damaging sensitive equipment. Advanced models now come with built-in diagnostics and monitoring capabilities, allowing operators to track performance and detect when the devices need replacement before failure occurs.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) are primarily used to provide temporary power during outages; however, they also offer excellent surge protection capabilities. Modern UPS systems use sophisticated filtering technology to smooth out power irregularities, ensuring a steady and safe power supply to security systems.

Isolated grounding systems are another way to protect sensitive electronics from power surges. In an isolated grounding system, the ground circuit for sensitive electronics is separated from the building’s main grounding system. This reduces the risk of voltage surges caused by ground loops, ensuring that the security system remains unaffected by electrical noise and disturbances elsewhere in the building.

Lightning is a unique threat that requires specialized protective measures. Unlike EMPs and power surges, the energy released by a lightning strike can be catastrophic, requiring a comprehensive defense strategy.

Lightning Protection

Lightning is a unique threat that requires specialized protective measures. Unlike EMPs and power surges, the energy released by a lightning strike can be catastrophic, requiring a comprehensive defense strategy.

Lightning arresters are critical devices designed to protect electrical systems from direct strikes by diverting the lightning’s energy away from the sensitive electronics. Installed at critical points where power lines or data cables enter a building, these arresters can prevent massive voltage surges caused by lightning from traveling into the security system.

Grounding and bonding systems are crucial for protecting against both direct and indirect lightning strikes. A well-designed grounding system ensures that excess energy from a lightning strike is safely dissipated into the earth without causing harm to the security system. Proper bonding of metal structures and equipment within the building further helps prevent energy buildup, reducing the risk of damage.

Transient Voltage Surge Suppression (TVSS) provides an additional layer of protection for indirect lightning strikes that induce surges into power lines. Similar to SPDs, these devices limit the voltage passing through the system, ensuring that transient surges caused by lightning do not harm sensitive security equipment.

About the Author

Paul F. Benne

Paul F. Benne is a 37-year veteran in the protective services industry. He is President of Sentinel Consulting LLC, a security consulting and design firm in based in New York City. Connect with him via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/paulbenne or visit www.sentinelgroup.us