Surge Protection Specifications for
Water Treatment Engineers & Specifiers

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Surge protection decisions begin during design, when consulting engineers and utility engineers develop one-line diagrams, write Division 26 electrical specification, and define the performance requirements contractors and manufacturers must meet.

For water and wastewater projects, surge protection should be addressed as a coordinated system—not as a single device at the service entrance. Effective specifications account for transient voltage pathways across power distribution, MCCs, SCADA panels, PLCs, instrumentation, communications, grounding, and remote assets.

DEHN works with engineers early in the design process to support coordinated protection concepts, simplify specification development, and help improve resilience across water and wastewater infrastructure.

Writing an Effective Division 26 Surge Protection Specification

A surge protection specification does more than identify a product. It defines the expected level of protection, establishes performance and compliance requirements, and gives contractors clear installation criteria. 

For water and wastewater facilities, that means considering where transient voltage can affect operations, including:

  • Service entrances
  • Distribution equipment
  • Motor Control Centers (MCCs)
  • SCADA and PLC panels
  • Instrumentation circuits
  • Communication networks
  • Lift stations, pump stations, and remote monitoring sites.

A coordinated specification helps reduce ambiguity during bidding and supports more consistent installation across the project.

Where Is Surge Protection Specified in Projects for Water and Wastewater Projects?

Surge protection is typically addressed within Division 26 – Electrical of the construction specifications. Many projects use a dedicated section, such as 26.43.13 — Surge Protective Devices for Low-Voltage Electrical Power Circuits.

Surge protection requirements may also appear in related electrical equipment sections, including switchboards, panelboards, MCCs, control panels, SCADA panels, and instrumentation or communication system specifications.

A comprehensive specification identifies where surge protective devices—SPDs—should be installed, the applicable performance standards, installation requirements, monitoring requirements, and acceptable manufacturers. 

For water and wastewater facilities, it should also account for the transient pathways throughout treatment plants, pump stations, lift stations, remote monitoring sites, and control systems.

A note for Specifiers: Review both the dedicated SPD section and related equipment sections. Surge protection requirements may be split across service entrance equipment, distribution panels, MCCs, SCADA panels, and instrumentation circuits.

Standards Engineers Should Know: UL 1449 and IEC 61643

Performance, compliance, and maintainability are fundamental to any surge protection specification.

When evaluating surge protective devices, engineers commonly reference standards and guidance, including:

  • UL 1449 for Surge Protective Devices (SPDs), including Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 classifications.
  • IEC 61643 for international surge protective device performance and testing.
  • IEEE C62 guidance for surge environments and electrical protection practices.

Beyond standards compliance, engineers should also evaluate:

  • Product availability
  • Replacement strategy
  • Monitoring and diagnostic capabilities
  • Installation requirements
  • Long-term manufacturer support
  • Maintainability throughout the life of the facility

Download the Editable Division 26 43 13 Specification Pack

Writing a specification from scratch takes time. DEHN's editable spec for Division 26 43 13 Surge Protection Devices provides engineer-editable language for low-voltage surge protective devices.

The specification includes guidance for:

  • UL 1449 Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 applications

  • Service-entrance protection

  • Distribution equipment protection

  • Monitoring requirements

  • Coordinated protection concepts for water and wastewater facilities.

It is designed to support specification development while reducing editing time and improving consistency across project documents.

Download DEHN's Editable Division 26 43 13 Specification Pack

What Should a Division 26 43 13 Surge Protection Specification Include?

A coordinated specification should address more than the service entrance SPD. Modern water and wastewater facilities contain multiple transient pathways that require protection throughout the electrical system.

Typical specification considerations include:

  • Service entrance surge protective devices

  • Distribution panel protection

  • Motor Control Centers—MCCs

  • SCADA and PLC panels

  • Instrumentation and control circuits

  • Data and communication network protection

  • Grounding and equipotential bonding

  • Monitoring and diagnostic requirements

  • Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 SPD applications

  • Installation and maintenance requirements

Coordinating these requirements during design helps support process continuity while protecting both power and communication infrastructure.

How DEHN Can Help

DEHN supports engineers and specifiers with the documentation and application guidance needed to write coordinated surge protection into project specifications. Support may include:

  • Editable Division 26 specification language

  • Standards and compliance documentation

  • SPD placement guidance

  • SCADA, PLC, instrumentation, and communication protection support

  • Pump/Lift Station Surge Risk Assessment support

  • Product data and submittal support

  • Support for coordinating surge protection with grounding and bonding requirements

The goal is to help engineers address protection requirements early, reduce ambiguity during bidding, and support a more coordinated design.

Protection Decisions Should Match the Application

Protection requirements vary across water and wastewater facilities. Different applications introduce different transient pathways, operating conditions, and design priorities.

DEHN can provide:

  • Lightning protection for water treatment facilities

  • Surge protection for SCADA and PLC systems

  • Grounding & equipotential bonding

  • Protection of flow, level, and pressure instrumentation

  • EMC protection for water utility control systems

  • Pump station, lift station, and remote monitoring applications

These application-specific protection concepts can be incorporated into Division 26 specifications based on the facility's electrical design.

Use Field Risk Assessments to Inform Better Specifications

Pump and lift stations introduce unique transient voltage risks that may not be fully captured in standard master specifications. A Pump/Lift Station Surge Risk Assessment from DEHN helps identify exposed assets, review common transient pathways, and support specification decisions for remote wastewater infrastructure.

Assessment findings can help engineers consider protection needs for:

  • Incoming electrical service

  • VFDs and motor controls

  • PLCs and RTUs

  • Telemetry equipment

  • Communication circuits

  • Level, flow, and pressure instrumentation

  • Grounding and bonding connections

This helps translate real-world exposure into clearer project requirements before procurement and installation.

Request a Pump/Lift Station Surge Risk Assessment

Review Your One-Line Before the Next Power Event or Lightning Strikes

Whether you're designing a new treatment plant, updating an existing facility, or reviewing Division 26 specifications, understanding how transient voltage moves through electrical critical infrastructure across the water and wastewater industry is the first step toward coordinated protection.

A One-Line Drawing Review from DEHN can identify vulnerable pathways and opportunities to improve protection throughout your treatment plant.

Request a One-Line Drawing Review

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Division 26?

Division 26 is the electrical section of a construction specification. It establishes requirements for electrical equipment, installation practices, and components such as surge protective devices used throughout a project.

What is UL 1449?

UL 1449 is the primary North American safety standard for surge protective devices. It defines SPD classifications, testing requirements, and performance criteria used in electrical specifications.

What is the difference between a Type 1 and Type 2 Surge Protector Device in a specification?

Type 1 SPDs are installed on the line side of the service entrance overcurrent device to protect against external surges, while Type 2 SPDs are installed on the load side to protect downstream distribution equipment and sensitive electrical systems from both external and internally generated transient events.

Can I get an editable spec for Division 26 43 13 Surge Protection Devices from DEHN?

Yes. DEHN provides an editable Division 26.43.13 specification package that engineers can adapt for water and wastewater projects. The package is designed to help streamline specification development while supporting coordinated surge protection design.