Surge Protectors

[JoeNorm]

Our utility experienced a "surge" the other day from a fallen tree into the lines. I assume the tree was somehow able to mix voltages(higher with lower) but to be honest, I have no idea what happened.

What I do know is that a client lost all sorts of equipment: EV charger, solar inverter, internet gear, etc. They are now asked about surge protection.

Would one of the simple breaker style surge protectors do anything in this scenario? Or is there a better product? Or will nothing really work all that well against something like this?

 

[jaggedben]

I don't really know the answer as to how much protection you'd need for an incident 'like that'. My only comment is that some of the breaker style protectors have higher kA ratings than some of the non-breaker style ones, so check the actual rating. Also the instructions invariably tell you to make the wiring as straight and short as possible, and I think that - if the kA rating is equal - that gives an advantage to the breaker style ones, and especially the plug-on neutral style. But that's 'all else being equal' and for the most protection my guess would be the higher kA rating the more protection you'll get. You can also double and triple and etc. them up.

 

[Little Bill]

It has been discovered that point of use SPD, along with the whole house SPD provides the best protection. So if you have sensitive electronics, such as TV, computers, refrigerators, etc. you would put a receptacle type SPD at those locations, and a whole house SPD in the panel.
I'm not talking about the cheap power strip type, but one that is actually a receptacle and mount in an outlet box.