Red Seal Industrial Electrician Practice Exam

What is the primary function of surge protection devices (SPDs)?

1. To enhance power supply quality

2. To prevent electrical shocks

3. To protect electrical equipment from voltage spikes

4. To regulate electrical flow

The correct answer is: To protect electrical equipment from voltage spikes

The primary function of surge protection devices (SPDs) is to protect electrical equipment from voltage spikes. These devices are specifically designed to absorb and redirect excess voltage—often caused by lightning strikes, power surges, or other transient voltage events—away from sensitive equipment, thereby preventing damage. When voltage spikes occur, they can exceed the operational limits of electrical components, leading to overheating, failures, or even destruction of equipment. SPDs act as a buffer, clamping down the excessive voltage and allowing only safe levels of electricity to reach the devices they protect. This makes them essential in both residential and industrial settings where sensitive electronics or critical machinery are in use. In the context of the other options, enhancing power supply quality typically involves broader measures regarding voltage levels and harmonics, which SPDs can contribute to but are not their primary function. Preventing electrical shocks mainly relates to safety mechanisms that protect humans from electric shock, which is not the focus of SPDs. Regulating electrical flow refers to controlling the current and voltage within a system, which is more aligned with devices such as circuit breakers and voltage regulators rather than SPDs, which are reactive in nature to surges.