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Originally Posted by Dusty_Star
Is it correct to say the more point-of-use surge protectors you have the better?
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Just to review, surge protection is a layered system. That means installing a Type-2 surge protector such as the Eaton Ultra at the circuit breaker panel and Type-3 point-of-use protectors on all sensitive electronic devices such as TVs and computers. If you have cable, you should install a surge protector in the garage where the cable comes into the house.
If you can afford it, finally get the Seco surge protector which is a Type-1 at the meter but this would be the lowest priority given the Type-2 will also protect you from power surges coming from the utility.
I agree, every home here in the Villages should have a Type-2 surge protector such as the Eaton Ultra installed at the circuit breaker panel.
Pikes and Lenhart electric install these. I believe Pikes is having a sale and Lenhart will give you a discount if you tell them you heard about them here on Talk of the Villages or attended one of the Villages Lightning Study Group's talk on Lightning. I'm not sure how long these "specials" will last so I would reach out to one of these companies ASAP.
Finally, there are several other Type-2 surge protectors besides the Eaton Ultra available. I've done some preliminary research and I can say with good confidence that the specs on all of them are basically close enough to each other that the extra cost for some of them may not be worth it. Some use a gas discharge tube to extend the life of the MOV components, and some have thermally protected MOVs so they don't self sacrifice in the case of a overwhelming power surge but at of the day the extra couple hundred dollars for a Siemens or Vortex or EMP shield surgeprotector for example, over the Eaton Ultra is not buying you significant additional protection. If the Eaton Ultra fails, there is a limited life time warrenty. So all this said, given the expense, the Eaton Ultra is the most cost effective device and has been around for many years and is highly rated so everyone living here in the Villages should consider at least spending the money for this surge protector along with the Type-3 point-of-use protectors which they probably already have.