American Rotary adds built-in surge protection to phase converters

American Rotary says it is the first phase converter maker to integrate surge protection directly into its three-phase rotary converters. The feature is now standard on select 240V models and is meant to protect both converters and downstream equipment from costly power surges. Why it matters: - American Rotary is trying to reduce a common failure point for shops and farms that run three-phase equipment from single-phase power. - Built-in surge protection can shield both the phase converter and connected equipment from lightning strikes, utility switching events and other transient over-voltages. - The move removes the need for customers to source and install a separate surge protective device. What happened: - American Rotary announced that it is the first phase converter manufacturer to integrate surge protection directly into its three-phase rotary phase converters. - The feature is standard on all 240V AI Series industrial converters manufactured after October 1, 2025. - Upgrade options are available across the full American Rotary product line through the company and its distributors nationwide. The details: - The integrated surge protective device is the Citel DS74US-240D/G. - The device is UL1449 5th Edition Type 1 Listed. - The unit carries a 75kA maximum surge current rating per module. - The device has a 200kA short-circuit current rating. - Protection modes include line-to-line and line-to-ground coverage. - Diagnostics include a visual fault indicator and remote contacts. - The device uses Hybrid Multi-MOV + GSG technology. - The surge protective device has a 10-year manufacturer warranty. - The operating range is -40°C to +85°C. - American Rotary says the built-in SPD protects the converter and all downstream three-phase equipment without extra installation, wiring or external mounting. - The feature is standard at no additional cost on all 240V AI Series industrial converters and AUL Series converters manufactured after October 1, 2025. - Existing American Rotary converters and other models can be upgraded for $149 to $199. - Upgrade availability includes the AR Pro Series, AD Digital Smart Series, ADX Smart Converter and AUL UL Listed Series. - Customers can buy the upgraded products directly from American Rotary or through distributors worldwide. - American Rotary has partnered with Citel, a Miramar, Florida-based surge protection specialist, to integrate the device into its phase converter line. - Citel’s devices are used in telecommunications, data centers, renewable energy, transportation and heavy manufacturing. - American Rotary has manufactured phase converters in Wisconsin since 2003. - The company’s product line includes the AR Pro Series, AD Digital Smart Series, ADX Smart Converter, AI Industrial Converter and AUL UL Listed Series. - The company also sells installation accessories including motor starters, load centers, disconnect switches and transformers. Between the lines: - The announcement targets a pain point for industrial customers that often leave surge protection as a separate, optional purchase. - American Rotary is positioning surge protection as a standard safety feature rather than an add-on, which could make pricing and installation simpler for buyers. - The company is also leaning on storm and outage risk to frame the feature as equipment protection, not just an electrical add-on. - Christopher Feavel, American Rotary’s chief revenue officer, said customers should not have to spec, source and install a separate SPD to protect valuable equipment. - Feavel said a single surge can damage the converter and everything connected to it. - Keith Rucker, a customer in Georgia, said built-in surge protection helped him avoid repeated equipment damage from storms and blackouts. - American Rotary cites outside research showing U.S. businesses lose $26 billion annually to power surges and that manufacturing takes a disproportionate share of supply chain losses from power disturbances. - American Rotary also cites a 2018 S&C Electric survey that found 21% of 251 commercial and industrial companies experienced a power outage at least once a month. What’s next: - American Rotary says the integrated surge protection will continue rolling out on qualifying new converters made after October 1, 2025. - The company is also making retrofit upgrades available for older units across its product line. - Customers can get more information at American Rotary and Citel . The bottom line: - American Rotary is bundling surge protection into its phase converters to lower installation friction and protect expensive downstream equipment from power events.