Transient voltage
BSRIA Power quality guide (AG 2/2000) was written by C C Pearson and V Uthayanan and published by BSRIA in July 2000. It states:
The transient voltage (sometimes called spike or impulsive) is an extreme voltage that lasts only a very short time, typically less than half a cycle (20 milliseconds). However, it can cause a number of problems with computers or other electronic systems. Problems include lost or corrupted data, parity errors, damaged equipment or decreased equipment life. These are difficult to avoid or eliminate since they result from lightning or any type of switching activity with excessive arcing, from utility switching to lights, contactors with poorly aligned contacts or motors turning on or off.
--BSRIA
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