[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Joe C.

I didn't want to replace it. I just wanted to get it fixed. It was a burnt motherboard.

Not sure, but they may have denied a claim to replace the motherboard because their "exclusion" clause says that any equipment with a microchip or a microprocessor is not covered.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by jrref

I understand this video is produced by Levitton to advertise their products but it does give a great overview of surge protection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fThJzINQF9A

Nice overview!

I don't understand why they say a class 2 is functionally better than class 1 for inside?

Geeking out for a minute... Electrically, they connect to the same point in the breaker box.

Class 1 is connected directly to the buss bar using 2ga wire.

Class 2 is connected to the buss bar through a circuit breaker using 14ga wire.

In respect to a high voltage transient, seems Class 1 should have a lower impedance path to ground?

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Nice overview!

I don't understand why they say a class 2 is functionally better than class 1 for inside?

Geeking out for a minute... Electrically, they connect to the same point in the breaker box.

Class 1 is connected directly to the buss bar using 2ga wire.

Class 2 is connected to the buss bar through a circuit breaker using 14ga wire.

In respect to a high voltage transient, seems Class 1 should have a lower impedance path to ground?

You are thinking about power and voltage at Steady State which is not the case with a power surge.

When you get a power surge besides the over voltage level, the duration of the surge also varies. Many power surges are very fast, less than a millisecond or two so the length of wire between the circuit with the surge and the surge protector itself becomes significant. Because the Type-2 protector at the circuit breaker panel is the closest to all the branch circuits, it should catch almost all the power surges. The Type-1 surge protector at the meter, in relative terms, is too far from the origin of the surge if it doesn't originate from the power lines outside the house and won't catch it. If the surge duration was long then you are correct the Type-1 at the meter would have an effect in clamping the over voltage.

When you read the Eaton Ultra installation instructions, Eaton wants the surge protector to have the shortest wire length to the connection points inside your circuit breaker panel for this reason.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by DonnaNi4os

You don’t need to be using your appliances or computer, tv, etc. They just need to be plugged in for a surge to destroy them. The more protection you have on these items the less likely they are to be damaged in a surge. If a lightning strikes near your home there is still a possibility damage will be unpreventable. In my home, and in my opinion, the more layers of protection you can add to protect your devices the better. And yes, I have SECO ‘s Surge-mitigator in my home and one on my AC unit outside.

Good for you installing a surge protector on the A/C unit power disconnect outside. You can also install that type of surge protector on the power disconnect at you pool and hot tub. These are called Type-2 protectors and one popular one is made by Intermatic. I also have an Intermatic Surge protector installed at my HVAC and Hot Tub power disconnects. More layers, More protection.

Amazon.com

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by jrref

You are thinking about power and voltage at Steady State which is not the case with a power surge.

When you get a power surge besides the over voltage level, the duration of the surge also varies. Many power surges are very fast, less than a millisecond or two so the length of wire between the circuit with the surge and the surge protector itself becomes significant. Because the Type-2 protector at the circuit breaker panel is the closest to all the branch circuits, it should catch almost all the power surges. The Type-1 surge protector at the meter, in relative terms, is too far from the origin of the surge if it doesn't originate from the power lines outside the house and won't catch it. If the surge duration was long then you are correct the Type-1 at the meter would have an effect in clamping the over voltage.

When you read the Eaton Ultra installation instructions, Eaton wants the surge protector to have the shortest wire length to the connection points inside your circuit breaker panel for this reason.

Understood, true for installations where the wire from the meter to the box is typically several feet long.

But here (at least current installations), the wire from the meter runs directly through the garage wall into the breaker box and is very short so probably not a significant difference.

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by jrref

Good for you installing a surge protector on the A/C unit power disconnect outside. You can also install that type of surge protector on the power disconnect at you pool and hot tub. These are called Type-2 protectors and one popular one is made by Intermatic. I also have an Intermatic Surge protector installed at my HVAC and Hot Tub power disconnects. More layers, More protection.

Amazon.com

Do we probably also need one for the mini-split?

Thanks!

[bob47]

Our last house had a surge protector installed in the breaker panel. I don't know if it ever protected us from a big surge like a nearby lightning strike but I did notice the light bulbs in the house seemed to last forever. Perhaps it was stopping all the little spikes that nibble away at things.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Dusty_Star

Do we probably also need one for the mini-split?

Thanks!

That would be wise.

Compressors/pumps put transients back on the power line, especially during start up, so at least in theory, a suppressor at the unit reduces these spikes making it back to the rest of the house.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Dusty_Star

Do we probably also need one for the mini-split?

Thanks!

Most mini-splits already have a surge protector. Look at the power disconnect and see if there is a box with a green light on it. If not, absolutely get one asap as the control circuitry can be damaged by surges.

[pikeselectric]

Good morning! My name is Casandra and I am with Pike's Electric in our service department. We have a lot of Villages residents contact us for Whole Home Surge Protection who also already have the SECO surge unit. Although we cannot speak for SECO's coverage and reliability on their unit, it is suggested to have a whole home surge device also at your garage panel (if your main breaker is located inside). We install the Eaton Ultra type 2 surge device and have been using this product for over 10 years.
We highly recommend this unit and I wanted to provide you, and also other readers information on why surge protection is so important for your home, especially during the inclement weather in the summer months.
Here's a link to our website article: https://pikeselectric.com/protection-from-power-surges/
I'd love to chat with you or anyone else who has interest in this installation. Please call or email me! (352) 748-6251 Email: cnelson@pikeselectric.com
Have a great day!

[pikeselectric]

Originally Posted by bob47

Our last house had a surge protector installed in the breaker panel. I don't know if it ever protected us from a big surge like a nearby lightning strike but I did notice the light bulbs in the house seemed to last forever. Perhaps it was stopping all the little spikes that nibble away at things.

Hi Bob! If you are unsure if the installed unit is still protecting your home or active, we may be able to help you. Most times, if the unit is older than 5 years, it can take small spikes over time and become less reliable. Hopefully we can discuss if you are interested. - Casandra with Pike's Electric Email: cnelson@pikeselectric.com

[pikeselectric]

Originally Posted by Carlsondm

We had lightening hit our Rose Lake DNR field office in Michigan many years ago. Computers on high quality surge protection (Power Directors, I recall - high joule) survived. The Power Directors, of course, were replaced after the incidence. Everything else plugged into an outlet fried or never worked the same. Good surge protection works.

With the amount of lightening here and the sensitivity of computerized appliances, we spent a few hundred to protect our electrical system and appliances in our new home. Unplug things completely if you are gone for a while. We have whole house and individual surge protection.

Hi there! Unplugging items is the BEST way to ensure surge damage does not occur if you are around to do so. We also highly recommend this if leaving home for long periods of time to unplug TVs, computers, chargers, anything that could be a potential hazard to surges/spikes in voltage. I have also seen where keeping a toaster or a air fryer plugged in and not in use has caused fires from a spike in voltage/surge. This is a good rule of thumb and habit to get into. - Casandra from Pike's Electric