Eaton PXL Series Installation And Operation Manual Download Page 3

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Section 1 Introduction

Instruction Manual

Page 3 Effective: January 2006

PXL Series Installation
and Operation Manual

The PXL series of Surge Protective
Devices (referred to as PXL from this
point forward) offer surge protection and
filtering to provide clean power for
sensitive electronic loads. The PXL units
shunt high energy induced lightning
surges, as well as other formats of
transient disturbances. Properly installed
PXL units protect critical equipment in
hospital, commercial, computer
manufacturing, telecommunication,
financial and military facilities.

The PXL removes power disturbances
from electrical distribution systems using
a low impedance shunt path to ground.
Surges and electrical line noise are
absorbed by the PXL and are prevented
from traveling through distribution system
wires to sensitive electronic loads. Prior to
installing the PXL check the units voltage
and configuration to verify it matches your
system voltage and wiring configuration.

Section 2

Section 3

of this manual details the

installation procedures for the PXL
Series SPDs.

of this manual describes

the operating features for the PXL
Series SPDs.

Section 4

Note:

of this manual provides a

detailed troubleshooting guide.

Surge Protective Devices and

Hi-Potential (Hi-Pot) Testing.

It is common procedure to test distribution
equipment with a form of hi-pot (dielectric
or megger) testing. The hi-pot tester
outputs a high voltage signal at low
current that will shut down if a short
circuits occurs. The principle behind hi-
pot testing is that the high voltage will find
any faults in the distribution system and
then quickly shuts down without
damaging the distribution equipment.
Hi pot testing is usually conducted phase
to phase and phase to ground.

1.1 Surge Protective Device

A Surge Protective Device (SPD) acts
very quickly to suppress high voltages
before they can damage sensitive
electronics. An SPD normally acts in the
nanoseconds range and can withstand
tens of thousands of amps repeatedly.
SPDs are not designed to prevent a
continued overvoltage without damaged.
In order to protect electronics from
damage, an SPD must be connected
from phase to ground. Lightning surges
are almost always shunted to ground and
the SPD must be connected this way to
provide protection.

1.2 The Problem

1.3 Disconnecting SPDs/
Performing Hi-Pot Testing

During a hi-pot test, the SPD will turn on
and shunt the high voltage to ground. The
hi-pot tester will continue to supply
current until it internally records the fault
condition. By this time, the SPD has been
exposed to a continues current that can
damage the internal components. To
prevent damage, it is critical that hi-pot
testing not be performed on connected
SPDs. From the installers point of view, it
is also important that SPDs are not
connected while performing a hi-pot test
since the SPD will always cause the test
to fail, thus defeating the purpose of the
test.

The only way to perform a hi-pot test in
the presence of an SPD is to disconnect
the SPD from the distribution system. If
the unit is connected through circuit
breaker, the breaker should be shut off as
a first step. This is sufficient for a delta
system to remove the SPD. On Wye
connected systems, the neutral must also
be removed so that all paths to ground
are isolated. An alternative method is to
remove the ground from the SPD before
any hi-pot testing is performed. All
grounds must be removed: the wired
ground, the conduit ground and the case

ground. Because it is easy to miss a
ground connection, it is recommended
that the line and neutral connection are
removed rather than the ground
connection.

Eaton Electrical tests each device and
assembly separately for dielectric
breakdown. The assembled SPD has
already been tested at the factory.
Additional tests should not be required.
Due to the possible damage that can
occur, all SPDs have a caution label
applied warning against hi-pot testing of
the assembly. We recommend that hi-pot
testing not be done on distribution
equipment with PXL SPD already
mounted. If hi-pot testing is still going to
be done, it can be accomplished by
following the above instruction and
removing the phases and neutral
connections from the SPD. If all wires to
these terminals are removed, a hi-pot
test can be safely performed. It is very
important to reconnect all wires after the
test. If any wire is left off, it can constitute
a serious hazard or can defeat the
operation of the SPD rendering it non-
functionial.

Verify your system application voltage
and wiring configuration is the same as
the enclosed PXL by checking the
voltage rating label located on the PXL
enclosure.
Review the site to ensure the physical
space required to install the PXL exists.
Check the facility grounding system. All
grounding, bonding and earthing must
meet NEC or CEC, as well as any other
applicable national or local codes. A poor
ground or grounding/bonding violations
affect the suppressor’s ability to function
as specified.

1.3.1 Eaton Electrical Specific
Instruction

Section 2 Installation
Procedures

2.1 Site Preparation

WARNING

INSTALLING A PROTECTION DEVICE

WHICH IS UNDER-RATED FOR THE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM VOLTAGE

CAN CREATE A POTENTIALLY

HAZARDOUS CONDITION

CAUTION

CONDUCTING DIELECTRIC OR HI-

POTENTIAL TESTING WILL CAUSE