For 220/380V lighting electrical Ready Board Box in rural Africa, in order to effectively protect lighting equipment such as LED and fluorescent lamps, the SPD voltage protection level (Up) should not exceed 1.5kV, and preferably ≤ 1.2kV.
1、 Core basis: Equipment impulse withstand voltage for ordinary lighting equipment (lamps, drivers, ballasts) according to IEC 60664-1, rated impulse withstand voltage Uw=1.5kV (Class II equipment). Safety principle: Up ≤ 0.8 × Uw. 1.5kV × 0.8=1.2kV (ideal upper limit). Considering the large fluctuations in rural power grids in Africa, poor grounding conditions, long lines, and the superposition of induced voltages, relaxing up to Up ≤ 1.5kV still meets basic protection requirements.
Standard and scenario matching: IEC 61643-11, GB/T 18802.1: Secondary SPD (electrical ready board) Up ≤ 1.5kV.
Lighting industry: Recommended Up ≤ 1.5kV for outdoor/rural lighting SPDs, and up ≤ 1.2kV for LED drivers.
Most rural areas in Africa have TT systems, unstable voltage, frequent lightning strikes, high grounding resistance, and easy residual voltage rise. It is necessary to control Up ≤ 1.5kV for reliable protection.
Selection suggestion: single-phase 230V: Uc ≥ 385V (TT system), Up≤1.5kV（8/20μs，In≥10kA）; High sensitivity LED: Up ≤ 1.2kV
2、 Conclusion
SPD in rural lighting electrical ready board in Africa:
Mandatory upper limit: Up ≤ 1.5kV; Best protection: Up ≤ 1.2k. Only when it is lower than 1.5kV can it effectively prevent overvoltage breakdown of lighting equipment drive and insulation.