Whole home surge protection

[icnsltmfg]

I am having my panel and service upgraded to 200amps, and while I am getting a new panel I was thinking of whole house surge protection. I had heard about these devices that are mounted in the box at the feed, and covers the entire house. Any comments on these. They are not very expensive ($100) id done at the upgrade.

 

[Junkman]

I have a Square D panel and installed the whole house surge protector a few years ago. Don't know if it is any extra protection, since it still is working as indicated by the "status" light. Never had a problem before, or since, so I can't comment on its value. It is one of those items that you never get to evaluate if it works, until it fails to work......

 

[Dave Carney]

Yeah, I have one too. Can't hurt.

 

[Franz©]

Most electrical engineers I've talked to along with the computer hardware people tell me the clamping speed on surge protectors is too slow to really prevent damage in the most likely surge event, a downline lightning strike to the PoCo system.

 

[Stuart in MN]

It's a good idea. As the Junkman said, it's one of those things you can't really test but for the price it can't hurt. Square D sells a surge protector, and I suppose other panelboard manufacturers (Siemens, GE, etc.) have them as accessories as well.

It's still a good idea to use a plug-in surge protector or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for your computer or other electronics in the house, since they're cheap insurance.

 

[markb1]

Can't have to much surge protection but nothing is going to help you if you get hit by lightning.
I have a GE panel and they make one that fits in two breaker spaces with two cool green lights.

 

[JCByrd24]

I just installed mine while wiring my garage subpanel, had the main panel down anyway. I bought it 4 months ago when I got my plasma. Just like these guys say, mounts with a panel knockout and has 4 wires, hot, hot, neutral, ground, and 2 green lights. The theory is that you have 2 chances to stop the surge, once entering the house and once at the point of use. Mine was $30 or $40 at HD.

 

[mhoffm911]

My house was hit by lightning 3 years ago. Fried everything in the house practically. I did not have a surge suppression system on the panel but would certainly recommend one based on the nightmare we had to go through with replacing just about everything that runs on electricity in the house.

 

[TxDoc]

We have a Delta Lightning Arrestor system on our office and home. The 300 Series is what is used.
http://www.deltala.com/prod02.htm

300 Series Specifications
Type of Design Silicon Oxide VaristorTM
Maximum current 100,000 amps
Maximum energy 3,000 joules per pole


Maximum number of surges Unlimited
Response time one milliamp test 5 nanoseconds
Response time to clamp 10,000 amps 10 nanoseconds
Response time to clamp 50,000 amps 25 nanoseconds
Leak current at double the rated voltage none
Leads 36" #12 THHN
Case material PVC
Locknut and Washer Furnished

www.DeltaLA.com

http://www.deltala.com/products.htm

We have some huge thunderstorms roll thru this area and, so far, not a problem is 17 years. Nothing is 100% safe with lighting, or electricity of any kind, but this may be worth looking at.

Good luck on your info search.

on edit-Our shop, at home, has ground rods driven at all four corners. I have seen buildings hit and all of the wire were left melted/welded inside the conduit.