Development and manufacturing of surge protective devices (SPDs) for AC and DC networks

CITEL

Miramar, FL (USA) · 8 international branches and R&D sitesNew on Amplifa

1937Founded

Millions of SPDs per yearAnnual capacity (company statement)

8 international branches andLocations

Family-owned, privateLegal form

About CITEL

CITEL is a family-owned company founded in 1937, specializing in surge protection. The company develops, manufactures and distributes millions of SPDs (Surge Protective Devices) per year to protect critical networks and installations against transient surges, particularly caused by lightning strikes and switching operations. Critical components such as gas discharge tubes, thermally protected varistors and high-energy varistor assemblies are developed and produced in-house. The centerpiece is the patented VG technology, a hybrid solution combining a gas-filled spark gap (GSG) and a metal oxide varistor (MOV), originally developed for IEC Type 1 and later extended to Type 2 and photovoltaic applications. Target industries include UL 508A industrial control panels, data centers, industrial machinery as well as commercial and industrial photovoltaics. CITEL maintains eight international branches and R&D sites as well as a worldwide distributor network; the US branch Citel Inc is based in Miramar, Florida.

Site: Miramar, FL, USA
Processes: Manufacturing of surge protective devices (SPDs, Surge Protective Devices), In-house manufacturing of surge protection components: gas discharge tubes, thermally protected, Surge protection (SPD) for AC and DC networks, In-house development and manufacturing of critical SPD components (gas discharge tubes, thermally, Technical consulting and training, VG technology (patented GSG+MOV hybrid technology)
Materials: Metal oxide varistor (MOV), Gas-filled Spark Gap (GSG), Gas-filled spark gap (GSG), VG technology (GSG+MOV hybrid)
Founded: 1937
Industries: UL 508A (industrial control panels), Data centers, Industrial machinery, Commercial and industrial photovoltaics

01
In-house development of critical components (gas discharge tubes, thermally
02
Manufacturing of the components
03
Assembly of surge protective devices (SPDs)
04
Technical consulting and training
05
Distribution via international branches and distributors

Technologies and Components

MOV

Metal oxide varistor (MOV)

Core component of the SPDs, manufactured in-house in a thermally protected version and as a high-energy assembly.

GSG

Gas-filled spark gap (GSG)

Component based on over 75 years of experience in gas discharge technology, for networks with a high impulse current risk.

VG technology (GSG+MOV hybrid)

Patented combination of a GSG and a matched MOV, originally developed for IEC Type 1 and extended to Type 2 and photovoltaics.

Locations

Citel Inc, Miramar

US branch

Products and Applications

**Surge protection for UL 508A**SPD · Industrial control panels

**Surge protection for data centers**SPD · Data centers

**Surge protection for industrial machinery**SPD · Mechanical engineering

**Surge protection for commercial and industrial photovoltaics**SPD · Photovoltaics

**VG technology (gas discharge technology)**GSG+MOV hybrid · SPD component

Inside the production

Industries

UL 508A (industrial control panels)Data centersIndustrial machineryCommercial and industrial photovoltaics

Processes & technical limits

Processes	Tolerance	Max. part	Weight	Lot size	Materials
Manufacturing of surge protective devices (SPDs, Surge Protective Devices)Assembly	–	–	–	–	Metal oxide varistors (MOV), Gas discharge tubes (GSG/VG technology)
In-house manufacturing of surge protection components: gas discharge tubes, thermally protectedEngineering	–	–	–	–	–

Additional services

Surge protection (SPD) for AC and DC networksIn-house development and manufacturing of critical SPD components (gas discharge tubes, thermallyTechnical consulting and trainingVG technology (patented GSG+MOV hybrid technology)

History

1937
Founding of CITEL; ever since, protection of critical networks and installations against transient surges
Development of the patented VG technology, initially for IEC Type 1, later for Type 2 and photovoltaic applications
Introduction of the DAC® US series, a new SPD product line