Nope, not that old. couple models B52s and F111s, slew 135s, RC,EC, KC, NKCs, E4s. Except for E4 (which at time in 80’s GE techs told what to replace except for routine maintenance) mostly troubleshooted with gauge checking pressures, and multi-meter for electrical, 28V was pretty start forward, Power side and ground.

I've seen a ton of different branded type-2s, but Eaton just has such a large presence, it's easy to just send someone a link and they get it the next day or they run out to HD/Lowes.

The easiest to install are those surges on Plug-on neutral panels. Take off the dead-front, remove the knock-outs, install, done. The problem is they have such a low surge capacity. I did a deep dive on it a while ago, and you can stack multiples of those without issue. I'm not sure two 22.5s = 45ka as electric is strange that way, but still, for ease of use, popping two of them in there is the easiest bang for the buck going.

As you say, there are several other Type-2 surge protectors on the market but I would stay away from most of them since I've seen some explode and or catch on fire in some cases when a very large induced surge occurred and exceeded their capacity but never with the Eaton or the PSP protectors.

Really???

When and where?

I saw a Ditek surge protector here in the Villages mounted inside a circuit breaker panel once where it must have exploded or caught on fire since it made a large part of the inside of the breaker panel black like from smoke. We investigated since the owner said the home either was hit by lightning or it hit very close. In either case, the home got a very large induced surge that overwhelmed the Ditek surge protector. It did save most everything in the home except a couple kitchen appliances.

Just so we’re clear: A Ditek whole home type wired to a breaker, or a plug in type (don’t know if Ditek makes those)?
Thanks

Ditek wired to a breaker mounted inside the circuit breaker panel.

In the attachments you can see where the surge protector burned up where all the black smoke residue is. The electrician then installed the a new surge protector of the same model back in the panel again.

I'm not saying Ditek is no good, just this is the only brand and type that I've seen this happen to. This particular protector is used at the disconnect at a lot of Mini-Split systems.

Wow! Thanks for the info. I have those Ditek devices on my HVAC units. I didn’t realize they had enough rated protection to be a whole home device. Ditek markets them as being “great for HVAC installations, pool pumps etc”.

If you have them on your HVAC equipment then that's good. Ditek makes several different models. But if you don't have a whole house surge protector at your circuit breaker panel then call Lenhart or Pikes electric. Pikes will install the Eaton Ultra and Lenhart will install the PSP protector. Both excellent. Lenhart can also install PSP surge protectors on your HVAC equipment and your cable line coming into the house.

Thank you,
I have the Eaton Ultra and the previous owner installed the Seco unit.