APT is one of the largest manufacturers of hardwired TVSS products in the world. APT was founded in 1984 with a long-term business philosophy of old fashioned ethics, integrity and service. Located in Clearwater, FL, , surge suppression is our only business. We manufacture a complete line of products for Medium Voltage (1kV – 5kV), Low Voltage (up to 600VAC), Data/Communications, Din Rail and Residential.

APT’s historical markets have been the Industrial/Commercial markets and the OEM private label market. In the past 15 years we have sold to OEM private label clients over $200,000,000 of products. Our major private label relationships include or have included the Square D Company, Schneider Electric Canada, Siemens Energy and Automation, and American Power Conversion. Three times in recent years APT has been awarded the “Market Engineering Customer Focus Award” from Frost and Sullivan which recognizes our customer support expertise. In 1999, Power Quality Assurance magazine ranked APT as the number one supplier of three-phase TVSS devices and ranked APT as a top 50 power quality company.

Why does this matter to you? Studies by Power Quality experts such as Frost & Sullivan have estimated that power surge related losses cost US companies an estimated $26 Billion annually. Today, more and more of the equipment we rely on is controlled by sensitive microprocessor based circuits. Whether you are responsible for sensitive PLC’s (Programmable Logic Controller) in a manufacturing environment or a small server room in a doctor’s office, your task is to keep these systems running with little or no disruption. Power surges originating outside the building, as a result of lightning and normal utility operations, can damage or disrupt everything from computers to sensitive process controls to large heavy duty motors. Power surges generated inside the building, from inductive loads such as motors, pumps and compressors, can disrupt and shorten the lifespan of this same equipment

Hardwired TVSS, properly installed at strategic locations within the distribution system will protect, and extend the life of, your electrical and electronic equipment. Losses due to downtime and lost productivity will the reduced or eliminated. TVSS is by far the most cost effective solution to Power Quality related problems as illustrated by the Power Quality Pyramid on the right.

Power Quality problems can be frustrating and difficult to diagnose for the end user. APT’s factory based, non-commissioned, Application Engineers and Customer Support Specialists can help you identify the source of any Power Quality related issues and recommend a cost effective solution. We are a global company whose products have been used for more than 25 years to protect mission critical equipment for everything from Fortune 500 companies down to the small mom & pop shops.

Industries Served

Commercial Industrial Manufacturing/Process & Control Water/Wastewater Renewable Energy (Wind & Solar) Oil & Gas Commercial

Mining Healthcare Education Transportation Government Military Telecommunications

Services & Support:

• Factory direct communication
  • No Middle Man! APT’s head office and production facilities are located in Clearwater, FL. Factory direct for immediate and accurate responses!
• Toll free telephone assistance
  • DIRECT access to experienced, non-commissioned APT Customer Service and Engineering personnel, Monday -Friday 8am-5pm EST
• Fast, accurate analysis of electrical system related problems
  • Surge suppression is all we do. Our staff of engineers are some of the most experienced in the industry and can usually diagnose the problem, and offer a solution, right over the phone.
• Quick Ship program
  • We have inventory on the most commonly utilized modular and non-modular TVSS units in the market. With the most common voltage codes of 120/240, 120/208 and 277/480, we are able to ship out these units the same day that you send us a PO!
• Free, interactive online training
  • Webinars provided by our Engineers for your Team. Our Webinars are “continued education” for your Engineers towards their credits. Call and schedule one today!
• Guaranteed to beat any competitive price
  • Lowest cost in the Industry. APT has strived for years to be the most cost efficient TVSS manufacture in the industry and we pass these cost savings on to you. We will not be undersold!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is a power surge and where do they come from?
A: Power surges, also called transients, are extremely brief overvoltage spikes on an AC power waveform. The most damaging type of power surges enter a facility through the power lines. These “externally generated” surges originate from the electric utility or lightning. Surprising to many is that the most common source of externally generated power surges is the electric utility. Normal load switching activities by the utility, and in-rush current from “power blinks” create power surges large enough to damage or weaken electronic equipment and machinery causing them to wear out over time. In addition to external sources surges can be caused internally. These “internally generated” power surges come from a number of sources within a facility including compressors found in HVAC systems, pumps and motors turning off and on, and even a printer/copier creates small, lower level power surges and electrical line noise.

Q: What damage do power surges cause?
A: There are 3 ways to classify the damage power surges can cause: disruption, degradation and destruction. The most noticeable and dramatic damage is destruction. Large power surges originating outside the facility burn up sensitive microprocessor circuits and motors. This results in equipment ceasing to turn on or in extreme cases the result is a smoking piece of equipment or even a fire.

Degradation occurs when surges cause the shortened lifespan of electrical and electronic equipment. This type of damage is also called “electronic rust”. Smaller, repeated power surges slowly damage your machinery and electronic equipment. Your equipment may continue to function after small surges occur until the integrity of the electronic components finally erodes and your equipment mysteriously stops working. Mis-operation or disruption of functions is not generally attributed to power surges but over time spikes in voltage wear equipment down and disrupt their operation.

Look for these signs of possible surge damage:

• Frequent computer lock-ups
• Equipment shut-downs
• Flickering lights
• Blown ballasts

Q: How do I prevent surge damage and protect my business?
A: Installing Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor (TVSS) is a cost-effective solution. If you look at the true cost damaged equipment can cause (Replacement parts cost + Labor to replace parts + Loss of revenue due to downtime) installing TVSS is a sound investment. The strategic application and use of TVSS will provide higher performance levels for installed equipment and significantly reduces unproductive downtime including actual physical damage to the site itself.

Q: What is Transient Voltage Surge Suppression (TVSS)?
A: Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors (TVSS) are Surge Protective Devices (SPD’s) that attenuate (reduces in magnitude) random, high energy, short duration electrical power anomalies caused by utilities, atmospheric phenomena, or inductive loads.

Such anomalies occur in the form of voltage and current spikes with a duration of less than half an AC cycle. These high energy power spikes can damage sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers, instrumentation, and process controllers.
Simply put the function of the TVSS is to stop or limit the effects of damaging voltage from reaching the devices they protect.

Q: How does TVSS work?
A: Surge Suppressors are designed to divert high energy power away from a load by providing a lower impedance path to common point earth ground. Surge suppressors used most often for commercial/industrial applications have metal oxide varistors (MOVs) connected in parallel.

Q: Where do I need TVSS?
A: If you own a small facility installing a TVSS at the service entrance panel can be sufficient. But if you have a bigger facility it is necessary to “stage” protection throughout the electrical system where primary protection is installed at the service entrance and secondary protection at branch panels. Additional protection is also recommended for sensitive equipment.

Q: Do you have TVSS’s for every application?
A: YES! We offer the most comprehensive line of modular and non-modular products in the industry. We cover all voltage codes, which also includes 480V Delta’s. Our TVSS units are designed for small applications, up to “mission critical” environments. We also offer medium voltage, Din-Rail, residential and data/telecommunication products.

Q: Is APT currently UL 1449 listed?
A: ABSOLUTLY! We value the testing that UL performs on all of our TVSS units and we support the need for continued testing for safety issues in the TVSS industry. Safety first! Be aware that there are other manufacturers that are no longer UL Listed. You will have to verify them yourself at http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/index.htm

Q: Why would I buy from APT?
A: As a leading manufacturer of quality U.S. made products, our highly trained design engineers have created TVSS products that are of high quality, low in cost and contain the highest level of safety features! You are working directly with the manufacturer. Who knows our product better than we do!

Q: How can I purchase APT products?
A: You can purchase APT products through any local electrical distributor. We suggest you contact APT Technical Support direct for help choosing the correct product for your application. When you are ready to purchase, or want to check pricing, have your local distributor give us a call and we will work with them to get you the competitive pricing you need.