280 Surge Arrestor ?

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davedottcom

davedottcom

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I can't find any article that addresses the size of the OCPD when installing a surge arrestor.

The ones I'm talking about are the Square D type sold at HD. I've seen the power co. install them directly to the meter lugs with no OCPD at all.

And secondly, is there even any advantage to hooking it up to a larger sized breaker?

For instance, would a 2-pole 50 amp breaker provide better surge protection than a 2-pole 20 amp breaker?
:confused:

Dave
 
Re: 280 Surge Arrestor ?

The breaker is there for when the protector self distructs so I wouldn't think a larger size would do anything. Once it reaches that point it's all over.

The ones I'm talking about are the Square D type sold at HD. I've seen the power co. install them directly to the meter lugs with no OCPD at all.

Yes because it's outside and a minor explosion shouldn't bother anything. Keep that in mind when installing them, they may blow apart at some point.

-Hal
 
Re: 280 Surge Arrestor ?

Hal, yea, I know these are "disposable"! I always explain that to the customer. I tell them it destroys itself to save their equiptment...adding NOTHING will stop a lightning hit.

The specs on the arrestor say:
Max Surge current: 36 kA/Phase
and the wires are #14 awg

I guess my question is:
When installing them to an indoor panel, Is using a breaker larger than 15 amp a violation or is there no limit since it is not a branch circuit...or IS it a branch circuit?!?!

Dave
 
Re: 280 Surge Arrestor ?

I've never used these things so I don't really know anything.

But.

If you're talking about a surge that happens over some microseconds. Do we size branch circuits for this?
 
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