Surge Protectors on House panels

K

kkyyllee

Member
Location
california
Occupation
building inspector
I do not see any language in the code text that would exempt non-dwelling loads. If there is a service supplying dwelling units the service shall be protected or each next level distribution equipment. 230.67 B Exception does not offer any exemptions for loads not serving the dwelling units.
 
J

jaggedben

Senior Member
Location
Northern California
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Solar and Energy Storage Installer
kkyyllee said:
I do not see any language in the code text that would exempt non-dwelling loads. If there is a service supplying dwelling units the service shall be protected or each next level distribution equipment. 230.67 B Exception does not offer any exemptions for loads not serving the dwelling units.
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I have to admit I agree with this. Although the house panel doesn't serve a dwelling unit, 230.67 isn't written in a way that that matters. Moreover, reading the substantiation, it applies equally to, say, smoke detectors in the common areas of a building with dwellings. (Now, if a surge damages the fire alarm systems at your workplace, I guess you're SOL.)
 
C

Choice_Gorilla

Senior Member
Location
New England
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
kkyyllee said:
I do not see any language in the code text that would exempt non-dwelling loads. If there is a service supplying dwelling units the service shall be protected or each next level distribution equipment. 230.67 B Exception does not offer any exemptions for loads not serving the dwelling units.
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I guess I’m assuming that OP is working off the 2023 code since his inspector is insisting that each apartment have a SPD, rather than just one for the service.

N 215.18 Surge Protection.

(A) Surge-Protective Device. Where a feeder supplies any of the following, a surge-protective device (SPD) shall be installed:

(1) Dwelling units

(2) Dormitory units

(3) Guest rooms and guest suites of hotels and motels

(4) Areas of nursing homes and limited-care facilities used exclusively as patient sleeping rooms

The area served by the house panel wouldn’t fit any of those definitions IMO.

I guess it depends on whether or not the Service has a SPD on it. If he installed an SPD on the house panel that would cover “each next level distribution” per the exception. If theres a SPD already part of the service I suppose I would still argue he doesn’t need one on his house panel.
 
J

jim dungar

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Staff member
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Wisconsin
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PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Choice_Gorilla said:
I guess I’m assuming that OP is working off the 2023 code since his inspector is insisting that each apartment have a SPD, rather than just one for the service.

N 215.18 Surge Protection.

(A) Surge-Protective Device. Where a feeder supplies any of the following, a surge-protective device (SPD) shall be installed:

(1) Dwelling units

(2) Dormitory units

(3) Guest rooms and guest suites of hotels and motels

(4) Areas of nursing homes and limited-care facilities used exclusively as patient sleeping rooms

The area served by the house panel wouldn’t fit any of those definitions IMO.

I guess it depends on whether or not the Service has a SPD on it. If he installed an SPD on the house panel that would cover “each next level distribution” per the exception. If theres a SPD already part of the service I suppose I would still argue he doesn’t need one on his house panel.
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So the question may be what code article applies to the OP, 230 for service or 215 for feeders?
 
K

kkyyllee

Member
Location
california
Occupation
building inspector
Choice_Gorilla said:
I guess I’m assuming that OP is working off the 2023 code since his inspector is insisting that each apartment have a SPD, rather than just one for the service.

N 215.18 Surge Protection.

(A) Surge-Protective Device. Where a feeder supplies any of the following, a surge-protective device (SPD) shall be installed:

(1) Dwelling units

(2) Dormitory units

(3) Guest rooms and guest suites of hotels and motels

(4) Areas of nursing homes and limited-care facilities used exclusively as patient sleeping rooms

The area served by the house panel wouldn’t fit any of those definitions IMO.

I guess it depends on whether or not the Service has a SPD on it. If he installed an SPD on the house panel that would cover “each next level distribution” per the exception. If theres a SPD already part of the service I suppose I would still argue he doesn’t need one on his house panel.
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Thank you I did not realize that surge protection is addressed in 215 as well in 2023 NEC. Luckily we have some time in CA to have a clear understanding of this.
 
K

kkyyllee

Member
Location
california
Occupation
building inspector
So under 2023 NEC both 230.67 and 215.18 must be satisfied?
SPD @ the service + SPD at the load side of each feeder serving a dwelling unit or SPD at each distribution panel (Regardless of occupancy)

Under 2020 NEC a single SPD at the service would satisfy 230.67 or a SPD at each distribution panel (Regardless of occupancy)
 
C

Choice_Gorilla

Senior Member
Location
New England
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
kkyyllee said:
So under 2023 NEC both 230.67 and 215.18 must be satisfied?
SPD @ the service + SPD at the load side of each feeder serving a dwelling unit or SPD at each distribution panel (Regardless of occupancy)

Under 2020 NEC a single SPD at the service would satisfy 230.67 or a SPD at each distribution panel (Regardless of occupancy)
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This is basically how I am seeing it. What code is OP on? and if it’s 2020 is there a SPD at the service or is he going for the exception to 230.67(b)
 
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