Voltage spikes are brief events that don't last for very long. In complex systems, even seemingly small events can have serious consequences and this is definitely true of industrial automation systems. Industrial systems need many different devices working in order to maintain normal operations. Computers and communications equipment are essential components of many modern automation systems; however, they are also particularly susceptible to power surges from voltage and current spikes because they typically have low dielectric strength. In these systems, serial device servers are key communications gateways that connect the broader Ethernet network with specific serial devices. A power surge that damages this vital communications link will bring the entire process to a halt. What causes power surges and how can you prevent these?
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