Surge or lighnting

[Oakey]

I have a customer who wants me to install a surge protector on the main panel as he has a lot of computers and the like. I sell the Intermatic model and never had an issue. My question is:

When I went to look at the job there already was a lightning surge protector installed in the panel. Will this do the same as a surge protector or is a lightning protector different?

 

[LarryFine]

From your description, there's no difference. If the existing unit is older, it may no longer be functioning. They actually sustain a bit of damage with each spike they intercept.

I suggest explaining this to him, ask if he'd still like it replaced, and add some point-of-use protection as well. Read the connected-equipment warranty fine-print carefully.

 

[Dnkldorf]

A lightning arrestor, and a surge protector are two different things.

 

[Oakey]

TBH he didn't know he even had one in there, so Im trying to avoid any double standard, I believe surge will give a % of protection over the norm and lighting is for the big stuff, Im just not sure if there's any conflict between them as I have never seen them both in a panel at the same time and wanted to know if that's ok to do that. The lightning Prot is about 15 years old so Ill check it out.