Electrical experts got a question

[blackangst1]

So, in my new home Im contemplating a whole home surge protector. I like what Ive read, but there's one question that still nags me.

AFAIK,electricity takes the shortest path. So in this simple example, wouldnt it be correct that if device D caused a surge, it would take out everything (potentially) in its path to A (the breaker with whole home surge protection)?
Or doesn't it work that way?

A----B----C----D

 

[NetWareHead]

The devices between D and A "absorb" some of the surge and convert the current into other forms of energy such as heat, arcing etc... There might or might not be enough current remaining to make it to point A.

Electricity doesn't always take the shortest path. It will most likely go down the path of least electrical resistance, other paths may see some current flow too.

 

[blackangst1]

Perfect. Thanks NWH

 

[NutBucket]

Devices don't usually cause surges; they're more likely to come from the utility.

 

[NetWareHead]

Devices don't usually cause surges; they're more likely to come from the utility.

A cable box for instance can receive a shock through the coax infrastructure (say from a lightening strike) and transmit that surge through the house wiring. Not all surges originate from the electric utility.

 

[NutBucket]

Technically that's still from the utility

 

[John Connor]

A cable box for instance can receive a shock through the coax infrastructure (say from a lightening strike) and transmit that surge through the house wiring. Not all surges originate from the electric utility.

This has happened to me a couple times and took out the two cable boxes. You hear a nice Buzz and that's all folks.

 

[Raizinman]

I just installed a whole house surge protector at the main fuse box. I picked the Eaton CHSPT2ULTRA along with the CHSPCABLE. You can purchase these devices at either Lowes or Home Depot. I feel it is very cheap insurance.

 

[John Connor]

I feel it is very cheap insurance.

How much was the electrician and unit?

 

[NutBucket]

I would guess an electrician would cost whatever the minimum service call cost is. It takes longer to mount the thing than to wire it up.

 

[edro]

Most surge protectors are physically closer to the source than the devices they protect.
Most, if not all, MOV surge protectors are wired in parallel to the incoming power.
In surge voltage ranges, the MOVs clamp down so most of the energy gets absorbed by the MOV before it can get to the down stream devices. (even though they are wired in parallel)
Some current always gets by, but it is greatly reduced.
I'm assuming whole home surge suppression would be wired in parallel at your service panel.

You can put a large inductor in series, to absorb current spikes, so maybe whole home surge does that as well.

Most robust surge suppression uses MOVs and Inductors.

 

[stormkroe]

The new stuff really works good. The last 3 MDPs I've installed (2 2000 amp, 1 1600 amp 208/120 3ph) have had TVSS installed. They operated on 60amp breakers as part of the unit, the logic inside basically samples continuously at a very high frequency and shunts anything over the specified voltage to ground. I would highly recommend one for the house.

 

[Micrornd]

The new stuff really works good. The last 3 MDPs I've installed (2 2000 amp, 1 1600 amp 208/120 3ph) have had TVSS installed. They operated on 60amp breakers as part of the unit, the logic inside basically samples continuously at a very high frequency and shunts anything over the specified voltage to ground. I would highly recommend one for the house.

That's been my experience also.
That's why we went with the Square D SurgeBreaker Plus SDSB1175c whole house unit here.
Has replaceable modules and does landline and coax also.
Simple 30amp breaker connection to the load panel.

Haven't had a surge related problem since.
(Immediately noticed we stopped losing speeds on the ceiling fans due to surges frying the speed capacitors)

 

[Raizinman]

How much was the electrician and unit?

I have two 200 amp breaker boxes in my basement. I bought two surge protectors (one for each box).

One surge protector and 2x 50 amp breakers for each box cost $150 each from Home Depot.

As for the cost of the electrician, it was a very easy install which I did myself. I called a licensed electrician who said they would charge me an hour to do both boxes ($90). I was able to do both in about 40 minutes. There is a youtube on the install at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFeaxRzPgtA that gives step by step instructions for my specific surge protector.

I also installed a cable surge protector that cost about $45 to finish out the complete install.