Generators & TVSS

[Paramagic]

We are getting many requests from home owners to have Generac Generators (bought mostly from Home Depot) installed. Some customers who have done their homework are asking about what type of TVSS we recommend. This isn't an area we have a lot of experience with though.

Outside of the specs for the various units I am looking for some real world experience. What brands has anyone used and what type of experience have you had with them? Current Technologies, Leviton, Northern Technologies/Emerson/Liebert, Innovative Technologies...anyone have a favorite or dislike one over the other?

Of course, cost ranges can vary and I understand that but I want to be able to give our customers the whole range from Leviton up to the more expensive units.

Also, I am wondering if anyone has any experioence with the Northern Technologies/Emerson/Liebert hybrid SAD/MOV systems. Do they really provide that much more protection? And are they worth the expense?

Looking for some real world opinion and experience as to what might be the best manufacturers to work with.

Thanks!

 

[charlie tuna]

the problem with these units are -------- how do you know if they are working or have worked and are now shot!!! i have seen many installs that have very expensive tvss units that have had problems as though there was no protection --- call the manufacturer and you get the same answer --- it can't protect against a serious stirke or surge or maybe this was hit before.. from what i know they get a heavy hit and thats the end of their life and there is no warning or way to really know the unit is blown!!! i recommend to anyone running a residential generator to power their house -- do not connect computerized equipment to the generated power. and almost everything has computerized circuits in todays appliances. tv's and computers need small ups units to buffer the effects of unstable power provided by residential generators...........................

 

[RHaggie]

TVSS or not TVSS

TVSS or not TVSS

Where on the line you are planning to install the TVSS makes the call of how expensive you want to go. On the service ahead of the generator and emergency load will need to be more robust (expensive) because it is exposed to utility transients. On the output of the generator is not really needed a lot because the generator will not be a source of transient voltage. If your transfer switch is automatically operated AND has a phase band monitor (not likely on a Home Depot issue) that allows rapid throw over, that would be a place I would want to see TVSS. Charlie is dead on- these are sacrificial devices and living on borrowed time from the start.

Which one to recommend? I personally like the IT line for a good all around protection at different levels but Current Technology is certainly no slouch.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. What are we protecting? Electronics? Appliances? House wiring?
2. How much do you have to spend? You get what you pay for from the better known brands you mentioned but you can go overboard real fast with more protection on the front end than is needed.
3. Does the TVSS have an indicator to show that it is still working?
4. Does the TVSS have built in overcurrent fuses to protect itself against a current surge? This is different than a voltage spike.
5. Does the manufacture have a guarantee against loss?
6. Are other TVSS devices used downstream on sensitive loads?