Quote:
Originally Posted by Shimpy
Where do a get a "whole house" protector"?
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More responsible companies manufacturer 'whole house' protectors by putting more money into the protector; less into profits. These companies include General Electric, ABB, Intermatic, Siemens, Leviton, Keison, and Square D. Most any electrical supply house provides them. Electronics stores do not since profits are so large selling ineffective protectors. An effective Cutler-Hammer (Eaton) solution sells in Lowes and Home Depot for less than $50.
Due to advertising, this is 'difficult to grasp' if not repeated. No protector does protection. An effective protector always has a dedicated wire to connect short ('less than 10 foot') to single point earth ground. Only item that must always exist in every protection layer is earth ground.
Protector life expectancy is defined by its current rating - at least 50,000 amps. Protection during each surge is defined by quality of earthing. A protector is simple science. Earthing is the art.
Most of your attention should be inspecting or upgrading earthing. Even SECO typically will not inspect or upgrade what only you are responsible for. This need is routinely ignored due to what so many have been taught by advertising.
And finally, above is only a secondary protection system. Also important is to inspect (if possible) the primary protection system. Only one item defines that protection layer. A picture demonstrates what to inspect:
http://www.tvtower.com/fpl.html
Many responsible companies (some listed above) manufacturer 'whole house' protectors that must connect short to what does protection and that cost about $1 per protected appliance.