Developing an Electrical Surge Protector Maintenance System

Electricity is an essential commodity in every society, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria with its ever-growing populace. However, Nigeria struggles to meet its citizens' electrical power demands due to an unstable power grid and inadequate infrastructure, leading to frequent blackouts and an increased risk of power surges. To address this issue, the use of Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) is heavily encouraged. Ensuring adequate maintenance of these devices is crucial, as many users may not have the expertise to detect when SPDs need maintenance or repairs. This paper presents an effective method for monitoring the operational status of SPDs using sensors to measure key parameters such as power, voltage, current, and temperature. The measured values are transmitted to a web-based platform developed using Flutter and Firebase, and can be accessed via MATLAB/SIMULINK. The system was first modeled and simulated to verify its functionality before physical implementation. The SPD was modeled to handle a clamping voltage of 240V, with simulations using an 8/20 μs surge waveform to replicate real-world surge conditions. The simulation results showed that the SPD effectively clamped the surge voltage to 240V, successfully protecting the connected load. The temperature sensor recorded an increase of up to 75°C during surge events, indicating the need for real-time monitoring to prevent overheating. The current sensor measured surge currents peaking at 10 kA, well within the SPD's absorption capacity. These results demonstrate the system's capability to mitigate the effects of electrical surges through proactive maintenance, significantly enhancing the reliability of electrical systems and reducing the risk of equipment failure and associated costs