Whole Home Surge Protector Install

[rockcrawler]

I’m about to begin the install on my surge protector. I‘ve read that it is important for it to be in the first breaker location in the panel. Is it as simple as moving all of the breakers up to make room for the surge protector breaker? I’m using a flush mount kit for a cleaner install.

Yes, I know there is an Eaton breaker in my GE panel for my shop. I’ll be swapping that out with a GE breaker along with running the proper wire from the house to the shop. The shop builder’s electrician did this. I have all the wire, I just need the time.

 

[larry4406]

Watching.

I’m leaning towards the Siemen’s unit as well.

 

[acer66]

Do these have an advantage over the ones at the meter from the PoCo?

 

[LXCam]

It’s not necessarily the first breaker location as it is next to the feeder terminations. So in your case the bottom of the panel.

Also it ever so slightly helps to install the largest conductors that fit the terminations and keep them as short as possible.

 

[BrandonV]

Do these have an advantage over the ones at the meter from the PoCo?

If you have a utility which is giving you a meter socket TVSS for free you're good. Most utilities that offer this do it as a subscription service.

Arguably its the best as it will clamp before the panel.

 

[SlappyWhite]

To add to the point above, is there an advantage over the ones that go internally in the panel (just takes up two breaker spots). If not, that is much cleaner is it not???

Like this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-Whole-Home-Surge-Protection-Unit-Panel-Mount-THQLSURGE/100143165

As long as the wires are long enough, yes you can just move all the breakers over to fit the new one at the beginning. Relabel the panel of course.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

What do the manufacturer's directions state?

wow sparky ran NM-b underground? smh

 

[mike93lx]

Looks like the oven breaker is fed from the top? If so, I'd move that one to the top of the panel and put the surge there. I can't imagine I'd move everything just to get the surge all the way at the bottom

 

[PCustoms]

Looks like the oven breaker is fed from the top? If so, I'd move that one to the top of the panel and put the surge there. I can't imagine I'd move everything just to get the surge all the way at the bottom

Surge is supposed to be in the first positions after the main.

Leapfrogging a few breakers or moving them all up one slot won't be bad.

 

[mike93lx]

Surge is supposed to be in the first positions after the main.

Leapfrogging a few breakers or moving them all up one slot won't be bad.

I know. But in the panel is better than no surge

That sub looks to be fed from the top. That one should probably move. The second one up. Doesn't appear to have much slack.

 

[PCustoms]

I know. But in the panel is better than no surge

That sub looks to be fed from the top. That one should probably move. The second one up. Doesn't appear to have much slack.

Second?

I'd move this one up one slot and replace it with the surge suppressor.



Then move the shop breaker somewhere else. If swapping that wire out, and the buss allows it, could go in an empty slot up high. Otherwise I'd shift the 3rd double pole on the right to the top.

 

[rockcrawler]

wow sparky ran NM-b underground? smh

Yes, I know. This is why it will all be replaced as soon as I get the chance.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

That sub looks to be fed from the top. That one should probably move. The second one up. Doesn't appear to have much slack.

I think this is a main panel since the NM-b on the 100a breaker on the right side is feeding his house... it only has a 3-wire feed but i also dont see a bonding screw....

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yes, I know. This is why it will all be replaced as soon as I get the chance.

needs to be #3 cu or #1 AL. the current wire you have there looks a little small.

 

[rockcrawler]

I think this is a main panel since the NM-b on the 100a breaker on the right side is feeding his house... it only has a 3-wire feed but i also dont see a bonding screw....

This is the main panel that is located in the garage. The bottom right breaker feeds the sub panel located upstairs and the breaker above that feeds the panel in my shop.

 

[rockcrawler]

needs to be #3 cu or #1 AL. the current wire you have there looks a little small.

I already have the #1 AL.

 

[rockcrawler]

I think this is a main panel since the NM-b on the 100a breaker on the right side is feeding his house... it only has a 3-wire feed but i also dont see a bonding screw....

I think he was stating that the upstairs sub panel is fed into the main panel from the top. Which it is. This would give it plenty of slack to move it up.

 

[mike93lx]

I think he was stating that the upstairs sub panel is fed into the main panel from the top. Which it is. This would give it plenty of slack to move it up.

Yes, that is what I meant

 

[rixtrix1]

When we upgraded our main panel to 200A to feed my new shop, they used a Siemens panel and surge protector at my request. Same company, different division also replaced our heat pump a week later and wanted to charge me $1000 for a surge protector for that. Would it be necessary to have a separate one for that or is it a lack of communication/sales hype? BTW, the heat pump is roof mounted, so if it gets hit by lightning, it's probably toast anyway. Will the main panel surge protector protect the 100A shop subpanel, too?

 

[PCustoms]

BTW, the heat pump is roof mounted, so if it gets hit by lightning, it's probably toast anyway. Will the main panel surge protector protect the 100A shop subpanel, too?

Most heat pumps require on ate the unit.

$1k additional is insane.

 

[rockcrawler]

When we upgraded our main panel to 200A to feed my new shop, they used a Siemens panel and surge protector at my request. Same company, different division also replaced our heat pump a week later and wanted to charge me $1000 for a surge protector for that. Would it be necessary to have a separate one for that or is it a lack of communication/sales hype? BTW, the heat pump is roof mounted, so if it gets hit by lightning, it's probably toast anyway. Will the main panel surge protector protect the 100A shop subpanel, too?

From what I understand, and I could be wrong, the surge protector is supposed to protect everything in the main panel. This in turn should protect the sub panel in the shop and the sub panel upstairs in the house. I hope.

 

[mike93lx]

From what I understand, and I could be wrong, the surge protector is supposed to protect everything in the main panel. This in turn should protect the sub panel in the shop and the sub panel upstairs in the house. I hope.

I put an additional surge unit in my pool subpanel. It wasn't worth hoping

 

[rockcrawler]

Done.