Surge protector for air handler with electric heat strip

[Tinkerer2]

I have the meter surge suppressor supplied by my electric utility. I also have the Siemens FS140 on the breaker panel and the Intermatic Compressor Defender on the HVAC condensing unit. I'd like to add a surge protector on the air handler with heat strip which means it is 240v. The air handler has a ECM motor. I know they make a X-13 Motor surge protector but I'd like to put one on the feed line to the entire air handler. I think this would cover the circuit board in the AH along with the motor and thermostat.

I'd also like to be able to monitor it without opening the AH cabinet. What is everyone else using?

 

[mm08822]

Wire it to the load side of the local service switch at the AH. I assume that location would allow for monitoring indicator lights from a distance.

 

[Tinkerer2]

The X-13 directly connects directly to the ECM motor and only protects the motor. I'd like to protect the entire system - motor, other circuit boards and thermostat.

 

[mike93lx]

The X-13 directly connects directly to the ECM motor and only protects the motor. I'd like to protect the entire system - motor, other circuit boards and thermostat.

I use these for my HVAC systems

https://www.supplyhouse.com/MARS-83905-HVAC-Surge-Protection-Device-120-240v

 

[Tinkerer2]

I use these for my HVAC systems

https://www.supplyhouse.com/MARS-83905-HVAC-Surge-Protection-Device-120-240v

Thanks for the recommendation. The AC technician was here yesterday and recommended the X13. When I looked it up, it is designed to plug directly into the ECM motor thus not protecting everything in the AH. Not sure what the price would have been to install but figured it would be $$ installed. Amazon has the X13 for $42 shipped.

Do you ever use an electrical 90 degree elbow when installing? Due to my limited space, I think I'll have to use one.

 

[fitter30]

If house gets hit by lighting it won't matter what you have. Already protected at the meter and panel.Electrical engineer would be nice to chime in.

 

[Tinkerer2]

If house gets hit by lighting it won't matter what you have. Already protected at the meter and panel.Electrical engineer would be nice to chime in.

Is there an EE in this group?

 

[mike93lx]

Is there an EE in this group?

We're all engineers! Or at least smarter than them

 

[BurtEggley]

I would think that the whole house surge protector would protect it. Clamping time on the Siemens 140 is pretty good. If you are trying to protect against voltage drops to filter all surges and drops, some kind of a battery backup / converter that runs all the time would be needed. Essentially in a system like that, the conveter takes the battery and makes a stable sine wave with it. Then incoming voltage changes are buffered by the battery. The battery is being constantly charged as it provides power to whatever is plugged into it. Personally, with what you already have, I don't see much gain in a system like that. It will cost you far more than a new board if it fails.

 

[pcmeiners]

If house gets hit by lighting it won't matter what you have

Agree. If you get a direct hit by a bolt of lightning and the ground your house sits on can not dissipate the charge fast enough there is no guarantee everything will survive. Have a $2500 surge/lightning setup at the main panel which I do not expect it to protect everything. Have (5) minisplits and placed multiple MOVs at each disconnect on all power legs to ground, same for my well power line.

Watched a lightning storm 20-25 miles away take out specialty modems on tug boats docked on Staten Island, storm was up near the Tappan Zee bridge. Had a power monitor logging as this happened so I knew an EMP took them out.

 

[mike93lx]

i don't have surge protectors to save stuff from a direct strike...that's insurance. i use (a lot of) surge protectors for the nearby strike that is much more likely

 

[Tinkerer2]

Well it may be overkill to install a surge protector in the AH but I'm done. I found the Intermatic AG3000 which appears to have better specs than the similarly priced Mars 83905 posted above if I'm reading them correctly. Already had the Intermatic Compressor Defender on the outside condensing unit.