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Whole House Surge Absorber.

I just installed myself "whole house" surge protector. I've already lost garage door opener due to line spikes last winter. Siemens style panel protector takes space of two standard circuit breakers - dual circuit breaker with built in MOV type surge arresters. Taking two spaces in my panel allows to suppress voltage spikes between each phase to ground and between two phases. Installation was very simple - placing double breaker in place of two singles and connecting thick ground wire to ground bar. Two green LEDs show active protection. Siemens recommends using it as additional protection when expensive electronic equipment is involved. I have all my gear plugged into Furman Elite 20PFI conditioner that has very tight non-sacrificial surge protection. My gear (DAC+Class D amp) is powered 24/7 but I always unplug it during thunderstorms. How do you protect your gear?
128x128kijanki

Showing 5 responses by kijanki

kijanki's avatar
kijanki OP
4,410 posts
 
Thanks Jim. I installed them in the first two positions but I have to measure resistance of the ground.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki OP
4,410 posts
 
Mine was $85 from Home Depot

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Siemens-20-Amp-6-5-in-Whole-House-Surge-Protected-Circuit-Breaker-QSA2020SPDP/202562776

I considered this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D-by-Schneider-Electric-Home-Electronics-Protective-Device-HEPD-HEPD80/203540660

but all positions in panel are used and circuit breakers are designed for one wire only - would have to pigtail it.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki OP
4,410 posts
 
Elevick, Siemens recommends secondary protection for expensive electronics. My Furman Elite 20PFi has strong protection but today practically everything has built in electronics (refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer, stove, garage door opener, LED bulbs, dimmers etc.)
kijanki's avatar
kijanki OP
4,410 posts
 
Audioquest4life, looks OK but is a bit expensive

Czarivey, Computer => Abacus :)
kijanki's avatar
kijanki OP
4,410 posts
 
EP-2050 has great reviews but it is a little on expensive side.
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