Type 2 Transient Surge Protector Acti9 iPRD65r 3PN 65 kA

The Schneider Electric Acti9 iPRD65r A9L65601 transient overvoltage protector is a Type 2 surge protective device (SPD) for three-phase electrical installations 3P+N. It is designed to protect connected equipment against transient overvoltages caused, for example, by switching operations on the network or by indirect effects of lightning strikes. It offers a maximum discharge current Imax of 65 kA and a nominal discharge current In of 20 kA.

The A9L65601 belongs to the Acti9 iPRD range and is recommended by Schneider Electric for installations with a very high exposure level, especially in incoming electrical panels. It is compatible with TT and TN-S earthing systems, operates on 230/400 V AC at 50/60 Hz networks, and incorporates replaceable plug-in cartridges and a remote signaling contact to report the status of the protector.

65 kA Type 2 surge protector

The Acti9 iPRD65r is classified as a Type 2 surge protector in accordance with IEC 61643-11 and EN 61643-11. It is intended to limit transient overvoltages that may reach an electrical installation and divert the associated energy to earth before it affects connected equipment.

Its main discharge values are:

• Nominal discharge current In: 20 kA.
• Maximum discharge current Imax: 65 kA.
• Imax L/PE: 65 kA.
• Imax N/PE: 65 kA.
• Imax L/N: 65 kA.

The high maximum discharge capacity of 65 kA makes Schneider Electric recommend this model for sites with a very high risk level or particularly exposed installations.

3P+N three-phase configuration

The A9L65601 reference is configured for three-phase installations with neutral, 3P+N. The device protects the phases and neutral using a combination of MOV and GDT technologies, adapted to networks with TT and TN-S earthing systems.

Its nominal operating voltage is 230/400 V AC ±10 % and it supports network frequencies of 50 or 60 Hz.

Protection level below 1.5 kV

The protector limits the residual voltage that appears during a transient overvoltage in order to reduce the electrical stress borne by downstream connected loads. Schneider Electric specifies a maximum protection level Up below 1.5 kV.

• Up N/PE: below 1.5 kV.
• Up L/N: below 1.5 kV.

For effective protection, it is important that the installation, wiring, equipotential bonding, and coordination with other protection devices are carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and applicable standards.

Maximum continuous operating voltage Uc

The Acti9 iPRD65r is designed to remain permanently connected to the network within its maximum continuous voltage values:

• Uc N/PE: 260 V AC.
• Uc L/PE: 350 V AC.
• Uc L/N: 350 V AC.

These values make it possible to select the protector correctly according to the voltage and earthing arrangement of the installation.

Plug-in and replaceable cartridges

One of the advantages of the Schneider Electric A9L65601 is its design with removable, plug-in cartridges. When one of the protection elements reaches the end of its service life, the corresponding cartridge can be replaced without having to replace the entire protector base.

The cartridges also incorporate an anti-vibration locking system that helps keep them securely in place during operation.

Remote status signaling

The “r” in iPRD65r identifies this version with remote signaling. The protector includes a 1 SD transfer contact, 1 changeover contact, which allows the information that a cartridge must be replaced to be transmitted remotely.

This function is especially useful in professional installations, main panels, and maintenance systems where it is necessary to know the status of the protector without carrying out a permanent visual inspection of the panel.

The signaling circuit supports up to 0.25 A at 250 V AC, 50/60 Hz.

Visual indication of cartridge status

In addition to remote signaling, the cartridges allow their status to be checked visually. This makes it possible during maintenance work to quickly identify when a protection element has reached the end of its service life and needs to be replaced.

The combination of local indication and remote signaling facilitates preventive maintenance and helps prevent the installation from remaining unprotected against surges due to an exhausted cartridge.

For TT and TN-S networks

The A9L65601 is specifically designed for use in TT and TN-S earthing systems. Schneider Electric recommends this model for networks with high prospective short-circuit currents and applications where high discharge capacity is required.

The correct selection of the protection scheme should be made taking into account the network configuration, earthing system, upstream protection devices, and the characteristics of the installation.

Recommended backup protection

Schneider Electric specifies different disconnecting devices that can be associated with the iPRD65r depending on the required short-circuit capacity:

• Acti9 iC60N: 50 A C curve, Icu 10 kA.
• Acti9 iC60H: 50 A C curve, Icu 15 kA.
• NG125N: 50 A C curve, Icu 25 kA.
• NG125H: 100 A C curve, Icu 36 kA.
• NG125L: 100 A C curve, Icu 50 kA.
• gG fuse: 80 A, breaking capacity 50 kA.

The final backup protection must be selected according to the available short-circuit current and the coordination rules indicated by Schneider Electric.

Modular DIN rail mounting

The protector is ready for installation by clip-on mounting on a DIN rail. It has an overall width of 72 mm, equivalent to 8 steps of 9 mm or 4 standard 18 mm modules.

• Height: 85 mm.
• Width: 72 mm.
• Depth: 69 mm.
• Modular width: 4 modules of 18 mm.
• Net weight: approximately 0.49 kg.
• Color: white RAL 9003.

Its modular format makes installation alongside miniature circuit breakers, residual current devices, and other Acti9 devices in distribution electrical panels easier.

Connection up to 35 mm²

The A9L65601 features tunnel terminals on both the top and bottom, offering flexibility for organizing the wiring inside the panel.

• Connection cross-section: 2.5 to 35 mm².
• Terminals: tunnel type.
• Connection: top or bottom.
• Tightening torque: 2.5 Nm.

The design allows the device to be oriented so that phase, neutral, and earth connections can be made from the most convenient area of the panel, always respecting the connection scheme indicated by Schneider Electric.

IP20 and IP40 protection in enclosure

The device has an IP20 protection rating as a modular device. When correctly installed in a suitable modular enclosure, the front protection can reach IP40.

Its mechanical impact resistance is IK03 according to IEC 62262.

Environmental operating conditions

The Acti9 iPRD65r protector is designed to operate within a wide range of environmental conditions:

• Operating temperature: -25 to 60 °C.
• Storage temperature: -40 to 85 °C.
• Relative humidity: 5-95 %.
• Maximum operating altitude: 2000 m.

Technical features of the Schneider Electric A9L65601

• Brand: Schneider Electric.
• Reference: A9L65601.
• Range: Acti9.
• Product: Acti9 iPRD.
• Model: iPRD65r.
• Type: transient overvoltage protector with plug-in cartridges.
• Class: Type 2.
• Application: electrical distribution networks.
• Configuration: 3P+N.
• Compatible earthing systems: TT and TN-S.
• Technology: MOV + GDT.
• Rated voltage: 230/400 V AC ±10 %.
• Frequency: 50/60 Hz.
• Nominal discharge current In: 20 kA.
• Maximum discharge current Imax: 65 kA.
• Uc N/PE: 260 V AC.
• Uc L/PE: 350 V AC.
• Uc L/N: 350 V AC.
• Maximum protection level Up: <1.5 kV.
• Remote signaling: yes.
• Signaling contact: 1 SD, 1 changeover contact.
• Remote contact capacity: 0.25 A at 250 V AC.
• Replaceable cartridges: yes.
• Anti-vibration locking: yes.
• Mounting: DIN rail.
• Modular width: 4 modules.
• Height: 85 mm.
• Width: 72 mm.
• Depth: 69 mm.
• Weight: approximately 0.49 kg.
• Color: white RAL 9003.
• Connection cross-section: 2.5-35 mm².
• Tightening torque: 2.5 Nm.
• Protection rating: IP20; IP40 front in suitable modular enclosure.
• Impact resistance: IK03.
• Operating temperature: -25 to 60 °C.
• Storage temperature: -40 to 85 °C.
• Maximum altitude: 2000 m.
• Standards: IEC 61643-11:2011 and EN 61643-11:2012.
• Certifications: CE.
• Quality marks: NF and KEMA-KEUR.
• EAN: 3606480504846.

Surge protection for demanding three-phase installations

The Schneider Electric Acti9 iPRD65r A9L65601 is especially suitable for 3P+N three-phase electrical panels located in sites with high exposure to transient overvoltages. Its maximum discharge current of 65 kA provides high capacity to divert transient impulses to earth.

The combination of Type 2, Imax of 65 kA, In of 20 kA, protection level below 1.5 kV, replaceable cartridges, and remote signaling facilitates both equipment protection and panel maintenance tasks. Its compatibility with TT and TN-S networks and modular DIN rail mounting complete a solution especially suited to main panels and professional electrical distribution applications.