Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocksnap
Whole house level 1&2 surge protection has been code for the last several years. All new construction has it installed on the electric service panel on the outside of the house, Open your panel door below the elen meter and look for yourself. No need for the power company ring on the electric meter, or another electrician installed level 2 device on the inside service panel.
FYI - I had talked to one of the local electricians and was told with this already installed by code protection device on the outside panel, any other level 1 or 2 device would be a waste of money.
The only other surge devices recommended would be those at point of use/level 3, and at the A/C unit. And your power strips to plug into, at the wall outlet/point of use.
Level 1 & 2 only work for surges coming in on the electrical service line, which is what is fed from the power company.
Lightening strikes at or near the house? All bets are off, no surge suppressor will likely be any good for that. No matter level 1, 2 or 3. Everything has limitations.
Myself? Sticking with the by code installed device on my whole house outside service panel & I have another device installed on the A/C electric service panel at the outside A/C unit, and additional stage 3 plugs where needed for point of use items inside the house.
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Generally speaking you are right but the Meter Surge Protector from Seco has a slightly different design than the Typical Type-2 protector like the Eaton Ultra which gives it the ability to block and or reduce very large surges coming from the power utility. The Type-2 Eaton Ultra or PSP Vortex will also protect you from surges coupling to any electrical circuit in your home as well as surges coming in from your electric provider. So, you will get better protection using both surge protectors. The typical mistake most make is assuming the Seco surge protector is all that you need for "whole house" surge protection. Remember, surge protection is a layered approach. You want to reduce very large surges so the surge protectors at your devices, Type-3 can block the surge.