Main lugs double tapped surge protector

[Coppersmith]

Did a job today where I removed a surge protector from the main lugs of a panel and put it on its own breaker as required by a home inspection report to please the buyers. Around here surge protectors are almost always put on the main lugs of the panel or on the meter can lugs. Code inspectors never say anything about it. Is this a code compliant practice?

 

[GoldDigger]

Did a job today where I removed a surge protector from the main lugs of a panel and put it on its own breaker as required by a home inspection report to please the buyers. Around here surge protectors are almost always put on the main lugs of the panel or on the meter can lugs. Inspectors never say anything about it. Is this a code compliant practice?

There are SPDs which are rated to be safely connected directly to service conductors without OCPD.
There are also SPDs which must be connected downstream of the main or, in some cases on their own branch.
As far as the NEC goes, they must be wired in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, compliant with their UL listing.
Putting an SPD of the first type on its own breaker will be safe, but may seriously reduce the protection it gives in an extreme surge event.

All the NEC would care about a main lug connection is that the lug is rated for multiple wire connections. In some cases a tap connector (Polaris or insulation displacement, for example) would have to be used.

Putting it on the meter socket lugs would require approval by POCO and would be complicated to inspect or service in that location.

I doubt that the HI knows the details of that, but the inspector for the AHJ is likely to.

 

[Coppersmith]

All the NEC would care about a main lug connection is that the lug is rated for multiple wire connections.

My main concern is the multiple wire connections. How do I tell this is allowed for the main panel lugs in a particular panel?

 

[GoldDigger]

My main concern is the multiple wire connections. How do I tell this is allowed for the main panel lugs in a particular panel?

It may be marked on the lugs themselves or in the manufacturer's installation instructions.
In almost all cases you are not allowed to use greatly differing wire sizes.

If you cannot get a kit with multiple lugs, one per wire, you may need to either use a tap connector or add a (switched?) lug set with no OCPD in a breaker location.

 

[infinity]

My main concern is the multiple wire connections. How do I tell this is allowed for the main panel lugs in a particular panel?

You would hard pressed to find any residential panelboards that have lugs rated for two conductors. IMO it's safe to assume that if you find two conductors under such a terminal it's a violation.