RectorSeal Expands the RSH™ Series HVAC/R Surge Protection Product Line RectorSeal® LLC, Houston, added a voltage monitoring device (VMD) and two disconnect boxes pre-wired with surge protectors to its RSH™ Series of surge protective devices (SPD) designed specifically for HVAC/R systems.

According to the RectorSeal website, the RSH™ Series is the HVAC/R industry’s only surge protection product line that carries a lifetime warranty with select SPDs. The RSH™ Series also features the longest connected HVAC/R equipment warranties from transient over-voltage and natural-cause surges for the unitary and ductless mini-split systems (DMSS) air conditioning units they’re designed to protect.

The new RSH-60 VMD is a combination voltage monitor and SPD for single-phase, 120/240-volt air conditioning and heat pumps (not recommended for mini-splits). During utility brownouts, voltage drops or other electric line disturbances, the RSH-60 VMD shuts down the HVAC/R condenser to protect the compressor motor and circuit boards from running on deficient voltage.

Furthermore, new RSH-60 VMD also combines the electronics of its sister product, the RSH-60, which protects against one 60kA surge (lightning), 20kA repetitive surges (common transient over-voltages) and carries the National Electrical Code’s (NEC) highest short circuit current rating (SCCR) of 200kA.

The RSH-60 VMD comprises a 5.2 (length) x 5.2 (width) x 2.3 (depth)-inch (132 X 132 x 58-mm) molded polymer casing with a fully-potted seal to protect from moisture (whether it’s bottom-mounted vertically or side-mounted horizontally into a disconnect box). Bottom-mounting can be invaluable when side-access is limited on contiguously installed series of disconnect boxes for large multi-condenser projects.

Additionally, the RSH-60 VMD offers a five-year/$7,500 warranty if the HVAC/R equipment is surge-damaged. The RSH-60 has a green LED, a red LED and an audible notification alarm if the SPD is no longer providing protection.

Additional features included in the RSH Series are the 60-amp fused and non-fused disconnect boxes, both comprising a factory-installed, prewired RSH-50, which cuts jobsite installation time. The gray powder-coated, all-steel 8.7 (length) x 5.4 (width) x 3.1 (depth)-inch (221 x 137 x 78-mm) boxes are weather-rated under NEMA 4X criteria and have a locking hinged flip-up cover. The boxes also have a loop to place a lock and prevent unauthorized access.

The RSH-50 protects from as many as 50 thousand A single surges and as many as 10 thousand A repetitive surges. The RSH-50 carries a lifetime product warranty, a five-year/$5,000 connected equipment warranty, and features a green LED to indicate operational status.

The RSH Series’ warranties are based on RectorSeal technology. According to RectorSeal, many SPDs use metal oxide varistors (MOV), which are variable resistors that block voltage surges and re-channel them harmlessly into the ground plain. RectorSeal uses thermally-fused varistors (TFMOV) and combines them with a gas discharge tube (GDT).

The TFMOV manages the everyday workload of commonly occurring surges generated within a building by millisecond transient over-voltages in addition to supply-side utility voltage load transfers that repetitively degrade compressor motors, circuit boards and other electrical components. The GDT makes the RSH Series’ lifetime warranty possible, because it safeguards against TFMOV failures from large catastrophic spikes that can occur from large utility invariances and potential occurrences of lightning-generated electric field damage.

Additional RSH Series features:

  • Disconnect boxes comprise three extra 1/2-in. knockouts for additional access;
  • Reduces surge liabilities and damage that can be blamed on the HVAC/R, installation or the service contractor;
  • Tested under UL 1449 Standard for Surge Protection Devices (Type I);
  • Price is less than to replace circuit boards, compressor motors or entire units damaged by surges;
  • Manufacturer PSP Products Inc. services warranty claims.

To learn more about the RSH™ Series of surge protective devices or other RectorSeal products, please contact a UTF showroom in Houston at 713-692-2323; in San Antonio at 210-495-8665; or in College Station at 979-731-8665.