How does it work?

The fundamental purpose of a surge protection device (varistor technology) is to attract energy surges and dissipate them so that no harm is done to the connected equipment that is associated with that varistor protection device. The issue with most surge protection technology is the limitations of the MOV’s that are primarily used in their design, which does not reduce energy surges to an acceptable level that the equipment manufacturers require for optimal equipment lifespan and reliable operation (+/- 10% of RMS).

When CLEAN-VOLTTM is installed in the same scenario, it becomes a more effective path of least resistance for energy surging events. CLEAN-VOLTTM patented varistor technology has the ability to react within the fundamental waveform and attract the damaging energy surges within the electrical system.

Most varistors have a certain threshold and when they meet that threshold they degrade, making them less efficient over time to the point that they no longer have the capacity to protect your system properly.

CLEAN-VOLTTM patented varistor has the ability to withstand years of surge abuse, and still operate as an effective catastrophic surge protection device while keeping daily surge events to within acceptable levels of equipment specifications.

BEFORE CLEAN-VOLT

AFTER CLEAN-VOLT

is your SURGE PROTECTION device a spectator or a participant?

FIND OUT NOW

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

CLEAN~VOLT™ uses a unique varistor technology that gives it the ability to handle large
volumes of energy combined with industry leading connection speeds. In recent times this
reaction level was called clamping, but now the term more commonly used is VPR (voltage
protection rating). Tests for reaction time are represented by a half cycle waveform of 120v
RMS. The “peak voltage” would be 169v representing one full half waveform, not to be
confused with the Full waveform (peak to peak 338v). Best performance levels found with
other surge protection devices pre-fusing mandate was clamping of 330v on the half cycle 120v
RMS waveform. Since fusing to keep the end user safe from fires, these clamping levels are now
referred to as VPR and range from 600v – 900v on a 120v RMS half cycle wave form.

NEMA has determined that 80% of the surge dynamics in your electrical system are created
within the “peak voltage”. In addition, equipment manufactures state within their owners
manuals “Connected equipment has a 10% +/- tolerance of RMS voltage”. These are 2 main
reasons you require an SPD that has the ability and robust nature to be able to participate
within these levels without degradation.

The difference between CLEAN~VOLT™ and other surge protection devices begin with the
varistor. CLEAN~VOLT™ uses a patented varistor technology atypical of ‘MOV’s’. In the event of
a surge above 132v on a 120v (RMS), CLEAN~VOLT™ acts as a path of least resistance for the
surge dynamics that try to enter the system or are generated within the system. This affords
your system an acceptable environment for your electronics & electrical devices to operate.
CLEAN~VOLT™ attracts surge dynamics with no degradation from day to day operation, unless
the discharge threshold is exceeded within an 8 x 20 micro pulse waveform during a large
catastrophic event (determined by CSA original C62.1 lightning arrester standards). In the event
of a catastrophic surge, CLEAN~VOLTs™ patented varistor is designed to pass enormous
amounts of surge energy as a lightning arrester.

As an added benefit to our extremely fast acting technology that was built in originally to keep
tolerance levels of 10% +/- RMS during a catastrophic event, this same speed has shown to
improve power quality. With the amount of electronics we rely on for our efficiency and
automation strategies, energy surging has been and continues to be a compounding problem.

The electrical community has been led to believe that surge protection technology has no effect
on power quality. That is a correct statement. How can you impact power quality if your SPD
does not participate within the fundamental waveform.

CLEAN-VOLTTM is designed to dissipate an over-voltage event. Our technology neither contains nor uses internal fusing, and can actually provide the critical seconds needed for your system to shut down and prevent further damage. This way, you have an electrical system that can be re-initialized and operational with minimal or no damage at all.

Our robust equipment deals with the majority of surge dynamics. Having this basic operative need addressed may benefit your system by limiting other problems as well. Please see the index in our December 2015 newsletter to find and study information on a number of different topics.

VIEW DEC 2015 NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

CLEAN-VOLTTM

  • Was approved as a Type 1 Surge Protection Device
  • Has the Surge Arrester Certification by CSA
  • Was tested and certified without an internal fuse by Underwriters Laboratories
  • Has the lowest connected clamping ability in the industry, keeping levels within the parameters of the connected equipment (+/- 10% of RMS)
  • Has a response time of a nanosecond when installed with six inch leads
  • Uses a patented technology that makes our varistors incredibly stable and robust
  • Has proven test results with Dranetz HDPQ Power Quality Analyzer
  • Offers a 40-year warranty, 1 time replacement warranty

Our robust equipment deals with the majority of surge dynamics. Having this basic operative need addressed may benefit your system by limiting other problems as well. Please see the index in our December 2015 newsletter to find and study information on a number of different topics.

VIEW DEC 2015 NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

CLEAN-VOLTTM

  • Was approved as a Type 1 Surge Protection Device
  • Has the Surge Arrester Certification by CSA
  • Was tested and certified without an internal fuse by Underwriters Laboratories
  • Has the lowest connected clamping ability in the industry, keeping levels within the parameters of the connected equipment (+/- 10% of RMS)
  • Has a response time of a nanosecond when installed with six inch leads
  • Uses a patented technology that makes our varistors incredibly stable
  • Has proven test results with Dranetz HDPQ Power Quality Analyzer
  • Offers a 40-year warranty

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  1. Underwriter Laboratories (UL) certifies CLEAN-VOLTTM Electrical protection against overvoltage is separated into three Types by UL. CLEAN-VOLTTM is a Type 1, Secondary Surge Arrester. To get this certification, a product must continue to function after eight simulated lightning strikes in a 20-microsecond period without fusing. The UL accredited lab selects strikes of 10,000, 20,000, or 30,000 instantaneous amps while maintaining a specified voltage.
  2. CSA Surge Arrestor Certification – The simplicity of our patented technology without internal fusing or electronic circuits, responds without the use of metal oxide, diodes, circuit boards, or lights.

Lifetime Warranty – should your Cleanvolt unit expire, it will be replaced free of charge.

This is a common misconception. CLEAN-VOLTTM does not pass all the power being used by the system like a filter, but rather attracts fast-acting energy surges to be dissipated as heat. When installed on an electrical panel CLEAN-VOLTTM becomes the path of least resistance for damaging activity. Thus it is absorbed and removed from the system.

Absolutely! The majority of our clients already had varying forms of surge protection (panel mount & power bars) but still proved further results after installing CLEAN-VOLTTM due to our industry-leading connected clamping/reaction time.  The reason for this is 80 % of the surging dynamics happen within the fundamental waveform and CLEAN-VOLTTM is the only varistors type technology that can absorb these occurrences with no degradation.

Due to CLEAN-VOLTTM ‘s industry-leading connected speed and transverse modes of protection, our technology has the ability to attract the transients being created by all connected equipment. Due to the robust nature of our patented failsafe technology, we are acting peak-to-peak in the fundamental waveform. This greatly reduces the interaction that is causing the majority of the power quality concerns costing users money today.

Yesterday’s technology used capacitors as a main element to improve power factor. CLEAN-VOLTTM is not a capacitance type technology. Therefore it cannot increase your Power Factor in a traditional way, but rather, it corrects the power factor closer to the connected calculated median of any specific load centers. This is accomplished by limiting the negative effect (heating) that the energy surges produced by our connected equipment creates.  It is better for CLEAN-VOLTTM to restore median power factor back in line naturally. Then you can better gauge if or where capacitance is required, and install it closer to the load requiring it, therefore getting more benefit

We have found through many years in the market place that ROI ranges from three months to three years depending on the size and complexity of your specific electrical system. The more electrical loads and demand on your system, the shorter the period of ROI. You will want to track regular repair/replacements, refrigeration maintenance, saved down time & electrical billing costs when factoring your ROI calculations.

Yes. By reducing the surge dynamics in the electrical system it allows the system to run more efficiently. CLEAN-VOLTTM has the ability to reduce the harmonic effect, which in turn reduces eddy currents and the skinning effect. Without the additional electrical resistance, your equipment operates within a much closer median for which it is designed. See Thermal Imaging.

CLEAN-VOLTTM does not save electricity in the conventional way. When CLEAN-VOLTTM  is installed on electrical panels with modern electronic loads and/or high efficiency rated motors, it does correct the power consumption, bringing the actual consumption more in line with the actual calculated draw. The robust nature of our industry-leading connected speed and transverse mode of protection enables us to participate within the fundamental waveform. Therefore, the energy surging that has a negative impact on the calculated electrical consumption is greatly reduced peak to peak. Helps the system run more efficiently and bring the calculated consumption in line with the actual draw

Learn more about the misconceptions of energy savings.

This is a common misconception. CLEAN-VOLTTM does not pass all the power being used by the system like a filter, but rather attracts fast-acting energy surges to be dissipated as heat. When installed on an electrical panel CLEAN-VOLTTM becomes the path of least resistance for damaging activity. Thus it is absorbed and removed from the system.

If our unit had indicator lights we would have to implement a circuit board that would:

  1. Affect our ability to react fast enough to provide proper protection
  2. Make the protection device vulnerable to damages from the various events we are trying to protect the other electronics from.

If the breaker that your unit is installed on trips, it likely needs to be replaced. Call the installing electrician or CLEAN-VOLTTM. Black singeing and/or a protruding rubber gasket around the lid are good indicators that the unit has absorbed a major surge and expired.

Your main overcurrent device or main breaker is designed to trip in order to disconnect your electrical panel in the event of a large over voltage/current event. The problem is the breaker reacts too slowly and by the time the main breaker trips, (if at all) damage can spread to connected equipment. When CLEAN-VOLTTM is installed on an electrical panel it has the ability and the robust nature to attract the catastrophic event, buying your main breaker the valuable fractions of a second needed to properly turn off with limited cascading damages.

Yes. All electrical safety devices require permits as per the authorities having jurisdiction. You will also want to have a permit to ensure there are no conflicts with your insurance.

Note: CLEAN-VOLTTM units need to be installed by a qualified electrician. For more complex electrical systems, we encourage you to have an assessment done by a dealer near you.

The CLEAN-VOLTTM technology is designed to install on the side of the electric panel, and from there it is wired into a breaker. There are different models available depending on the voltage of the panel. In some cases CLEAN-VOLTTM comes in an enclosure with its own breaker to house the higher voltage 3-phase applications.

Note: CLEAN-VOLTTM units need to be installed by a qualified electrician. For more complex electrical systems, we encourage you to have an assessment done by a dealer near you.

Every electrical system is different and some are very complex. Consult a CLEAN-VOLTTM application specialist for details about your specific situation. View our Inspection Sheet.

CLEAN-VOLTTM dissipates the transients as heat on a small electron level so you won’t notice any heat buildup on the unit. Our product acts exactly as a lightning arrestor does on a utility pole.

About Harmonics: The word “Harmonic” is used as a catch-all when what is actually happening are surge transients caused by the reflection of electronic devices during normal operation (AC to DC conversion) deviate the normal fundamental AC waveform.

This ‘effect’ is nothing more than a standard transient and needs to be addressed as such. This is called the “Harmonic Effect”.

Any deviation of the fundamental 60 HZ waveform will cause an energy surge that MUST be absorbed by the entire system.

The “Electronic Conversion Deviation” happens with the normal function of the electronic device doing its job, period.

The ‘effect’ of deviating the fundamental waveform ’causes’ the very same problems as any surge event generated within the entire electrical system. Reducing ANY surge event will help the system operate within normal connected parameters.

How our product helps: These frequencies generated in your system by your connected equipment have a negative effect on the voltage waveform, which translates to surge dynamics on the current waveform. CLEAN-VOLTTM does not reduce harmonics, but by eliminating the surge dynamics created by the harmonics, CLEAN-VOLTTM greatly reduces the harmonic effect.

Utilities can have what is called sags (where the voltage drops) and CLEAN-VOLTTM is a passive device and does not “top off your voltage”. CLEAN-VOLTTM will limit the surges that occur right after voltage sags and keep the damaging dynamics away from your equipment. If sagging is a problem for your day-to-day operations you may need to introduce a UPS back-up device.

In addition, if your utility voltage is consistent, flickering can be due to poor wiring practices, such as bad ground and loose connection points, for example. You may want to have a certified electrician check the integrity of your electrical system.

CLEAN-VOLTTM units come with a lifetime 40-year warranty for the originally purchased unit. Be sure to register your unit’s warranty after a licensed electrician has installed it.

Simply call us and let us know what happened. If your unit was properly registered upon install, all you do is ship us the expired unit and we will ship you a new one. We do this one- time replacement for originally purchased units.

Absolutely. Have it removed from your panel and reinstalled at your new property by a certified electrician and you will not void the warranty.