Question on whole home surge protectors
#1
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Question on whole home surge protectors
I am having my power company (Duke Energy) install a type 1 surge protector in the meter socket.
As added protection i installed surge protector on the A/c disconnect.
In addition I will be installing a "Type 2" protector at the main breaker panel.
i am looking at 2 units:
1. First the Eaton Ultra
http://www.eaton.com/ecm/groups/publ...b00414001y.pdf
2. second the Siemens unit
https://w3.usa.siemens.com/powerdist...01-044-046.pdf
I have a Siemens panel so the Siemens SPD will fit.
Looks like the Siemens is a simple plug in breaker. As I understand it if there are no available slots in the panel (mine is full) it is permissible to "double tap" the Siemens unit.
Instructions for the Eaton unit say that ideally you should have a dedicated breaker but they do not say it is a must.
My existing Siemens breakers are "QP' and can be double tapped (piggy backed??). Not sure of proper term.
The Eaton unit even if I can double tap into existing breaker will require mounting outside of box and a bit more work.
Any downside to the Siemens unit?
I came across this article and it discusses items like types of protection, max surge capacity etc.
What's the "Best" Whole-House Surge Protection?
The article gave best rating to Eaton and did not even mention the Siemens unit. When looking at Siemens specs on Siemens page the specs seem lower than the Eaton but I'm no electrical engineer.
As an example the Siemens offers line to neutral and line to line protection.
So does the Eaton but in addition Eaton offers neutral to ground and line to ground protection.
Is this important? I have no idea what i really need.
Any advice is appreciated.
As added protection i installed surge protector on the A/c disconnect.
In addition I will be installing a "Type 2" protector at the main breaker panel.
i am looking at 2 units:
1. First the Eaton Ultra
http://www.eaton.com/ecm/groups/publ...b00414001y.pdf
2. second the Siemens unit
https://w3.usa.siemens.com/powerdist...01-044-046.pdf
I have a Siemens panel so the Siemens SPD will fit.
Looks like the Siemens is a simple plug in breaker. As I understand it if there are no available slots in the panel (mine is full) it is permissible to "double tap" the Siemens unit.
Instructions for the Eaton unit say that ideally you should have a dedicated breaker but they do not say it is a must.
My existing Siemens breakers are "QP' and can be double tapped (piggy backed??). Not sure of proper term.
The Eaton unit even if I can double tap into existing breaker will require mounting outside of box and a bit more work.
Any downside to the Siemens unit?
I came across this article and it discusses items like types of protection, max surge capacity etc.
What's the "Best" Whole-House Surge Protection?
The article gave best rating to Eaton and did not even mention the Siemens unit. When looking at Siemens specs on Siemens page the specs seem lower than the Eaton but I'm no electrical engineer.
As an example the Siemens offers line to neutral and line to line protection.
So does the Eaton but in addition Eaton offers neutral to ground and line to ground protection.
Is this important? I have no idea what i really need.
Any advice is appreciated.
#2
As I understand it if there are no available slots in the panel (mine is full) it is permissible to "double tap" the Siemens unit.
Eaton/Cutler-Hammer has similar devices for both their CH and BR series loadcenters.