Transient Voltage
Surge Suppression (TVSS)
Introduction
I don't think any other typically fitted equipment have so many names and abbreviations, however, they typically have 'surge' in their somewhere so that's the best way to identify. Sometimes they do only use abbreviations such as ESP (Electronic Surge Protection), SPD (Surge Protection Device) & TVSS (Transient Voltage Surge Suppression) are the most common.
What do I Choose?
Let's keep this simple, in summary, there are three types:
1) Type 1 SPD - Used at the origin of the installation (This is the one on the main switchboard)
2) Type 2 SPD - Used at distribution boards
3) Type 3 SPD - Used near the terminal equipment
What is TVSS/ESP?
This is a device that protects electrical devices from voltage spikes and surges. This either blocks or shorts to ground any excess or unwated spikes in voltage, this outside of the standard and safe thresholds.