Whole House Surge Protection

[GLTHFJ60]

@PAToyota and @Hojack can you learn us on whole house surge protection? Which units do you use/prefer? How do they work?

Are there weatherproof versions available? My main panel is on the outside of my house.

Example, but my googling has only shown versions that are boxes external to the panel.

 

[Hojack]

The manufacturer of your main breaker panel should make their own style of surge protector for their panel.
For well pump controllers and pumps we use Raycap.
All Mode Series From Raycap For Surge Protection

 

[Hojack]

Raycap makes weatherproof versions.
What brand breaker panel do you have?

 

[Hojack]

https://www.amazon.com/Eaton-BRSURG...ocphy=1027744&hvtargid=pla-340551338084&psc=1

 

[PAToyota]

I have Square-D QO panels, so I've used their whole house surge protectors - or Surge Protective Device (SPD). They have a pretty decent overview here that will give you the how and why answers: Square D Whole Home Surge Protection

This is the unit that I have. It snaps right into the QO panel like any other circuit breaker: QO2175SB Surgebreaker Surge Protective Device (SPD) - Documents and Downloads |

This is a picture I grabbed from the internet, but it is basically how it looks - the first unit down on the right side. It takes up two spaces (to protect both 110V sides), snaps in, and then the wire connects to the neutral bar.

Square-D also makes a unit that will work with any panel - you just need to connect it to a double-pole (220V) breaker in the panel: Square D HEPD50 Home Electronics Protective Device | Schneider Electric

But I'd tend to recommend finding an SPD for your specific panel. I'd assume that most (if not all) manufacturers have them available.

 

[PAToyota]

I've got one on my house panel and one on my workshop panel, but I have (basically) a 400A service coming to the meter and then splitting to the two 200A panels so the panels are separate from each other. A subpanel would theoretically be protected by the main panel, but I'd be inclined to put one in a subpanel in a separate building where something could theoretically happen to the line between the two buildings. I'd have to read through the literature to see if Square D addresses that situation.

 

[Waorani]

Got curious about these after mentioned in 3ph thread. Haven't had any surge issues (at far as I'm aware) in 25yrs but seems like cheap enough protection just in case. My main panel is full so I'd have to put in a couple of tandem 20s to free up a couple of spaces. What's the general feeling on these? Do they actually work or is this like Rid-X, maybe it works, maybe it doesn't do anything but you feel good about it anyway.

Who snaged the QO off ebay for $50?!

 

[Hojack]

It really depends on where you live and what happens. In the event of a major surge nothing will work, like a lightning strike. However one time a car crashed into a power pole and surged the line for a customer of ours. We had an AC Data on a well pump VFD Controller and it saved the well controller but TV and a few appliances blew in the house.
I live at the end of the line in a remote area so I’m more prone to power related surges.

 

[PAToyota]

As Hojack says, it depends on your situation - and it can be difficult to prove that it positively made a difference unless you have a specific incident where you were protected and neighbors weren't.

As I mentioned, anecdotally, neighbors of mine seem to have issues with electronics going bad over time where I have stuff that is more than two decades old. Even without specific major surges, I feel the SPD is countering less severe incidents that still wear on electronics. For my neighbors, these dozens (hundreds?) of incidents take their toll over time whereas I'm being protected from them.

Not sure about the QO/eBay reference, but I see Home Depot has them for $70.

 

[Hojack]

Would one of these be used per panel or just main panel?

I'm in the process of shuffling things to an internal subpanel at my house with minimal on the main panel outside.

One in the main will protect everything on the supply side. One in each panel would work too for extra protection in case the main surge protector cannot protect from the type of surge. Just added protection.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Seems really, really easy. This is a type 2 surge protector it seems like:

 

[Hojack]

They are easy to install. If you can install a breaker then you can install a surge protector.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I just can't figure out how it works. Does it detect over-voltage, then bleed that extra voltage to the neutral bar?

EDIT: Lots of different types it turns out. Slightly above my pay grade, but the key concept is that these devices have a "clamping voltage" that limits voltage, which is bled off or converted to heat.

Surge protector - Wikipedia

 

[Hojack]

From what I understand it’s like an attractant. When the surge hits the panel it goes to the surge protector. That’s why you want it as close to your service entrance as possible, for example the spaces adjacent to the main service breaker.

 

[thatcabledude]

Ask your utility company if they have one they'll install on the meter base.

 

[Hojack]

Only issue with a public utility surge protector I see is if it blows your relying on them to come replace. I highly doubt they’ll install one for residential service. Once they blow they are shorted to ground and no longer work as does everything in home. One in you own panel can be removed and you can still have power. Buy another surge protector and your back in business. Just my 0.02

 

[Waorani]

Thanks for the info.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I read that residential style type 1 surge protectors plug into the meter base on the house, then the meter plugs into the surge protector. You could replace it yourself, you're just not supposed to

Thanks for the advice @Hojack and @PAToyota !!

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Hire a licensed electrician.

 

[thatcabledude]

Only issue with a public utility surge protector I see is if it blows your relying on them to come replace. I highly doubt they’ll install one for residential service. Once they blow they are shorted to ground and no longer work as does everything in home. One in you own panel can be removed and you can still have power. Buy another surge protector and your back in business. Just my 0.02

They are common here. I think the co-op charges $5 a month.