Whole House Surge Protectors

[timebuilder]

Fyi:

I must point out that a homeowner should not work inside the panelboard cabinet unless they have specific training and are safe to do such work.

[Florida Joy]

Fyi:

I must point out that a homeowner should not work inside the panelboard cabinet unless they have specific training and are safe to do such work.

As I said, I have a "great fear" of touching this stuff myself, so I wouldn't even consider getting into the wiring inside my breaker cabinet. That's why I've been looking for an electrician who understands whole house surge suppression devices and who is willing to quote me on installing one!

[timebuilder]

As I said, I have a "great fear" of touching this stuff myself, so I wouldn't even consider getting into the wiring inside my breaker cabinet. That's why I've been looking for an electrician who understands whole house surge suppression devices and who is willing to quote me on installing one!

I would think all you would have to do is to tell the man what you want. Am I missing something?

[Florida Joy]

I would think all you would have to do is to tell the man what you want. Am I missing something?

I was thinking it should be just that easy when I started calling around, but that hasn't been the case. Reference post #1.

I'm not interested in purchasing my own equipment and having someone install it, and I really don't want it inside my sub-panel. Guess I'll keep calling until I find someone who has experience installing Type 1 SPDs.... or else give in and go with a Type 2 inside the sub-panel, which I'm certain is the less expensive option.

[jtrammel]

The sycom surge protectors like mike Holmes uses work great. They are available either way (outside of panel or breaker style)

[timebuilder]

The sycom surge protectors like mike Holmes uses work great. They are available either way (outside of panel or breaker style)

This is mine.

IMG_6376.JPG

[Florida Joy]

This is mine.

IMG_6376.JPG

Now I think I understand. The Type 2 SPD would be outside the breaker box. The circuit breaker it's connected to simply provides a means to connect the device to the loadcenter bus, as well as providing short circuit current protection.

Your breaker panel appears to be mounted on top of the wall surface, like I had in the basement where I lived in VA. In Florida, my main is mounted to the cement block wall outside the house adjacent to the meter can, but the indoor sub-panel is recessed between the wall studs in the laundry room, so the door of the panel is flush with the wallboard (see image below). All wiring is hidden behind the wallboard. It's a Square D panel, so there is no place for mounting such a device inside the panel.

The device you have is similar to the one my HVAC contractor proposed for use at the A/C disconnect, but I just don't see this type of SPD serving as a "whole house" solution for my home.

Breaker Panel.jpg

[Florida Joy]

I just don't see this type of SPD serving as a "whole house" solution for my home.

OK, I get it now. The Eaton catalog and installation instructions show an optional flushmount kit so the SPD could be installed side by side with the flush mount breaker box, with wiring entering the box behind the wallboard. Duh!

Eaton CHSPFMKIT.jpg