Inverters often come equipped with sensing circuits that automatically disconnect the unit from the battery when the input voltage exceeds certain limits which is referred to as Voltage protection. Also known as overvoltage protection, this is done to protect electronic components from damage caused by excessive voltage.
The consequences of an over-voltage situation can differ depending on the circuit in question. It can range from component damage to component degradation, resulting in circuit malfunctions or even the risk of fire. The power supply may also experience an over-voltage condition due to internal faults or external factors like issues in the distribution lines.
When designing an effective protection system, it is crucial to consider the magnitude and duration of the over-voltage, which can be achieved by setting a threshold voltage. When this voltage is exceeded, the control circuit will either shut down the power supply or redirect the excess voltage to other parts of the circuit, such as a capacitor.
Also See: What is Voltage Drop?
Characteristics of Voltage Protection
Important qualities of an overvoltage protection circuit are:
- It ensures that the components are not subjected to excessive voltage.
- The protection circuit must not disrupt the regular operation of the system or circuit.
- It must ensure that it does not burden the power supply and lead to any voltage drops.
- The protection circuit must differentiate between normal voltage changes and dangerous over-voltage.
- Respond quickly to transient events that have the potential to harm both the power supply and its downstream components.
- The OVP method should be able to detect all real over-voltage conditions accurately, without any false trips or undetected instances. False trips can be an inconvenience and even dangerous if genuine over-voltage situations are overlooked.
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