[Margefrog]

My place is 25 years old. Different code. So I gather what SECO recommended took care of any surge issues.

[Margefrog]

Thank you.

[Rocksnap]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Good info!

The Florida electrical code starting this year requires surge protection and an external disconnect device on new construction. You'll noticed the external meter boxes are much larger on new construction.

Do you recall what surge protection device they are using or what it looked like?

It’s an Eaton brand stage 2 on the label. The bulk of it is hidden in the box, only the face is visible behind the punch out in the box.
I did have one of TV major electrical companies to my house. Their response was with this device, the Seco ring would be a waste of money. For the life of me, this site won’t allow any pictures. Happy to send a pic of what’s visible to anyone if they contact me.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Rocksnap

It’s an Eaton brand stage 2 on the label. The bulk of it is hidden in the box, only the face is visible behind the punch out in the box.
I did have one of TV major electrical companies to my house. Their response was with this device, the Seco ring would be a waste of money. For the life of me, this site won’t allow any pictures. Happy to send a pic of what’s visible to anyone if they contact me.

Thanks!

To post a photo, you may need to click on Advanced first, and then Manage Attachments.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Rocksnap

A heads up to all who are looking for whole house, stage 1 and/or 2 electrical surge protection.
Stage 1 protection is the “ring” that the power company will place under the service meter. Leased or purchased by the home owner.
Stage 2 protection usually is installed on the electrical panel, connects at the first breaker position.
Stage 3 protection is used “at the point of use”. A power strip you would use to plug in a device, tv, computer, refrigerator.
Come to find out that NEW CONSTRUCTION building code requires Stage 1/2 surge protection be installed.
I found this out the hard way, after much research into surge protection for my new build in the Eastport area.
I had asked SECO to install the ring on the house meter when I started service. A contractor will do this at some time. It took about 3 weeks after we moved in, 6 weeks after I called to start new service.
I was going to install a Stage 2 device on my circuit breaker panel. Has an electrician out to do so.
He walked me around to my house electric meter, opened the cover to the big box BENEATH the meter to check.
Would you know there was a Stage 2 surge device already installed. A requirement of new construction code. Not sure if that is just my county, or Florida wide.
No need for the Ring. No need for the Stage 2 on the CB Panel in the garage. It was already installed! Saved $$$ on the cost of the Ring. Saved $$$ on the cost of installing a Stage 2 on the C/B panel. Lesson learned!

I'm one of the engineers in the Villages Lightning Study Group focusing on surge protection. I went out and took a look at some new Villages construction in order to figure out what's going on.

As per the new Electrical Code two things that effect what we are talking about changed. 1) The Main Breaker that's normally in the main circuit breaker panel in your garage now has to be located outside of the dwelling. 2) Type 1/2 Surge protection must be installed. This specific change was made in part to protect hard wired smoke/carbon monoxide detectors and other safety devices from surge damage in your home. Statistics showed surges were damaging these detectors to the point where they were not operational and no way to alert the homeowner leading to deaths. You are correct, in the newer builds if you go outside your home and look at the power meter you will see what looks like a box with a door under the meter. In there is a small circuit breaker panel with your main breaker AND an Eaton BRNSURGE Type BR Type-2 surge protector or equivalent installed. So yes, you have some surge protection installed which is good.

Looking further, the BRNSURGE Type BR has an 18KV rating where as the Eaton Ultra installed inside your garage at the circuit breaker panel has an 108KV rating and the PSP Vortexx has a 120KV rating. The higher the rating the better and this means yes, there is surge protection installed but it's minimal and better than nothing. Another issue I see is since the surge protector is outside the house, in the case where a surge damaged the surge protector, you will not be able to see the light or hear the audible alert, if it has one, when this happens so you will need to periodically open the cabinet below the meter and check the protector.

All this said, the surge protector "ring" provided by the power company has a different design to block and or manage very large surges coming from the power utility so it does provide additional significant protection that the BRNSURGE Type BR will not. Installing the Eaton Ultra or the PSP Vortexx inside your garage at the circuit breaker panel will also provide significant additional surge protection. Remember, surge protection is a layered approach so the more the better. The idea is when a very large induced surge enters your home, this layered appoach will systematically block and or knock down the level of the surge so your Type-3 surge protectors installed at your electronic equipment such as TV, Computer, etc., will not get overwhelmed and be able to protect your devices.

So at the end of the day, although new builds have surge protection installed it's better to add the surge protector "ring" at the meter from your power utility and install a "whole house" Eaton Ultra or PSP Vortexx at the circuit breaker panel for the best surge protection solution. Remember, an induced power surge can damage equipment costing thousands of dollars in your home so the up-front cost to add adequate surge protection is something to consider. You can call Lenhart Electric in Wildwood to have these surge protection devices installed along with a professional evalution of your specific equipment if you have additional spa and or pool equipment.

Hope this helps clear up this discussion so you can make a more informed decision on whether to install additional surge protection in your home.

[wjilenei.yahoo.com]

Originally Posted by jrref

I'm one of the engineers in the Villages Lightning Study Group focusing on surge protection. I went out and took a look at some new Villages construction in order to figure out what's going on.

As per the new Electrical Code two things that effect what we are talking about changed. 1) The Main Breaker that's normally in the main circuit breaker panel in your garage now has to be located outside of the dwelling. 2) Type 1/2 Surge protection must be installed. This specific change was made in part to protect hard wired smoke/carbon monoxide detectors and other safety devices from surge damage in your home. Statistics showed surges were damaging these detectors to the point where they were not operational and no way to alert the homeowner leading to deaths. You are correct, in the newer builds if you go outside your home and look at the power meter you will see what looks like a box with a door under the meter. In there is a small circuit breaker panel with your main breaker AND an Eaton BRNSURGE Type BR Type-2 surge protector or equivalent installed. So yes, you have some surge protection installed which is good.

Looking further, the BRNSURGE Type BR has an 18KV rating where as the Eaton Ultra installed inside your garage at the circuit breaker panel has an 108KV rating and the PSP Vortexx has a 120KV rating. The higher the rating the better and this means yes, there is surge protection installed but it's minimal and better than nothing. Another issue I see is since the surge protector is outside the house, in the case where a surge damaged the surge protector, you will not be able to see the light or hear the audible alert, if it has one, when this happens so you will need to periodically open the cabinet below the meter and check the protector.

All this said, the surge protector "ring" provided by the power company has a different design to block and or manage very large surges coming from the power utility so it does provide additional significant protection that the BRNSURGE Type BR will not. Installing the Eaton Ultra or the PSP Vortexx inside your garage at the circuit breaker panel will also provide significant additional surge protection. Remember, surge protection is a layered approach so the more the better. The idea is when a very large induced surge enters your home, this layered appoach will systematically block and or knock down the level of the surge so your Type-3 surge protectors installed at your electronic equipment such as TV, Computer, etc., will not get overwhelmed and be able to protect your devices.

So at the end of the day, although new builds have surge protection installed it's better to add the surge protector "ring" at the meter from your power utility and install a "whole house" Eaton Ultra or PSP Vortexx at the circuit breaker panel for the best surge protection solution. Remember, an induced power surge can damage equipment costing thousands of dollars in your home so the up-front cost to add adequate surge protection is something to consider. You can call Lenhart Electric in Wildwood to have these surge protection devices installed along with a professional evalution of your specific equipment if you have additional spa and or pool equipment.

Hope this helps clear up this discussion so you can make a more informed decision on whether to install additional surge protection in your home.

My house is 8 yrs old in TV's with a circuit breaker panel box in the garage. How do I know what was installed by the builder in the panel and whether or not its adequate for protection or whether or not to replace what is there? I can't look at the panel right now as Im 1200 miles away.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by wjilenei.yahoo.com

My house is 8 yrs old in TV's with a circuit breaker panel box in the garage. How do I know what was installed by the builder in the panel and whether or not its adequate for protection or whether or not to replace what is there? I can't look at the panel right now as Im 1200 miles away.

Since you home was built 8 years ago, no surge protection was installed by the builder. Only homes in the past year have the mandatory minimal surge protection installed.

[wjilenei.yahoo.com]

Originally Posted by jrref

Since you home was built 8 years ago, no surge protection was installed by the builder. Only homes in the past year have the mandatory minimal surge protection installed.

Thank you for your update!

[Spartan86]

Thanks to this thread, Rusty’s videos, neighbors etc I became more informed and explored the issue in my 2019 home. The Seco ring was in place from a previous owner, and my mini split installer added a Ditek protector during installation - I didn’t ask/know to ask, they just included it. I’ve since added the Eaton ultra at my service panel, added a Ditek protector at my HVAC service panel and replaced a few power strips inside.

A number of new pool installations have occurred around me. I’m amazed none of them have visible surge protection on the pool equipment.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Spartan86

Thanks to this thread, Rusty’s videos, neighbors etc I became more informed and explored the issue in my 2019 home. The Seco ring was in place from a previous owner, and my mini split installer added a Ditek protector during installation - I didn’t ask/know to ask, they just included it. I’ve since added the Eaton ultra at my service panel, added a Ditek protector at my HVAC service panel and replaced a few power strips inside.

A number of new pool installations have occurred around me. I’m amazed none of them have visible surge protection on the pool equipment.

Good, now you are all protected.

[Babubhat]

Better hope the product works because trying to collect on the warranty looks like a nightmare. Everyone should read this closely. It is NOT their intent to buy you a new covered item which is their defined white appliances. Best to get the Eaton discussed here too.

…no circumstances will MTI guarantee performance due to a lightning strike not
carried down the utility power lines and through the utility transformer and
then the SPD to the residence.

This warranty excludes all stand-alone “electronic equipment” using
microchip, microprocessor or transistor technology, such as but not limited to
computers, televisions, DVD Players/Recorders and Security Systems…

The SPD‘s light(s) must be extinguished with power applied and surge
activity must be verified by MTI. MTI shall be the sole judge of the SPD’s,

This gives me little comfort the house has adequate protection with just the ring


https://secoenergy.com/wp-content/up...ev_4202022.pdf

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Better hope the product works because trying to collect on the warranty looks like a nightmare. Everyone should read this closely. It is NOT their intent to buy you a new covered item which is their defined white appliances. Best to get the Eaton discussed here too.

…no circumstances will MTI guarantee performance due to a lightning strike not
carried down the utility power lines and through the utility transformer and
then the SPD to the residence.

This warranty excludes all stand-alone “electronic equipment” using
microchip, microprocessor or transistor technology, such as but not limited to
computers, televisions, DVD Players/Recorders and Security Systems…

The SPD‘s light(s) must be extinguished with power applied and surge
activity must be verified by MTI. MTI shall be the sole judge of the SPD’s,

This gives me little comfort the house has adequate protection with just the ring


https://secoenergy.com/wp-content/up...ev_4202022.pdf

Exactly which is why if you are going to invest in surge protection, the first thing you need to do is get the Type-2 protector, either the Eaton Ultra or the PSP Vortexx installed at your circuit breaker panel. I would do this even in the new areas where there is basic surge protection installed by the builder. You can call Lenhart or Pikes for the Install. Lenhart will give you a discount if you mention Talk of the Villages. Pikes also runs promotions. Then I would review my Type-3 surge protection installed at your TVs and computers and finally, if you have the budget, then get the surge protector at the meter.

Thanks for pointing out the warranty. You don't buy these products for the warranty but it tells you what the manufacturer feels confident in their product protecting.

[Spartan86]

I installed the Eaton, and added the Ditek device purely for the preventative possibilities. Looking at the Eaton warranty it is pretty clear you must first file a homeowner claim and then follow on with theirs. I’m not likely to file a homeowner claim on a fried appliance or TV etc.