The scope of this guide covers the application of surge protective devices for the electrical equipment and systems with voltages of 1000 V (ac) and 1500 V (dc) or less within a smart grid. This includes power, communications, control systems, data acquisition equipment and associated circuitry. Additionally, there are cases which involve smart grid equipment attaching or coupling to higher voltage circuits such as electric utility medium voltage distribution. This scope does not limit providing guidance for such matters.

This document focuses on surge protective devices that operate on systems with voltages 1,000 Volts(ac)/1500 Volts(dc) and below. However, it may include cases that involve smart grid equipment attaching or coupling to higher voltage circuits such as electric utility medium voltage distribution. Included within this scope are communications, data acquisition equipment, and associated circuitry and interfaces. Guidance is given on protecting the variety of mostly electronic equipment that will be added to homes, businesses, government facilities and industrial plants as part of the Smart Grid.

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for the application of surge protective devices within the smart grid. The guide includes applications such as power, data acquisition and communications related circuitry. The guide is intended for use by manufacturers, system designers, educators and end users of the smart grid.