The FL1 models incorporate fusible links so the units can be safely used to interconnect networks on different power earths. The peak surge current handled is 10kA and bandwidths up to 70MHz are covered. Many businesses and organisations are now very reliant on their network. If the network is out of action, the business is paralysed. Identifying a single faulty item of hardware is not always straight forward.
Surges threaten local data networks in a number of ways.
Ground potential surge due to a nearby lightning strike to ground, is probably the greatest threat of damage to the largest number of networks. In comparison, direct strike to a building housing a LAN, a severe threat to a relatively few. Mains supply transients due to lightning strikes to power lines, supply switching and faults, represents a moderate threat to LANs. A lightning strike to ground consists of a number of strokes of differing intensity. Figures of 100kA and 200kA are used to illustrate worst-case direct strikes.