Secondary Surge Arrester

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by dvalley

So in your case the lighting suppressor is only protecting the dryer circuit. And the suppressor itself should be mounted on the outside of the panel.

The device would be protecting more than just the dryer as it is across the bus when the breaker is in the on position.

Here is the Installation manual.

[Blaine Wiley]

The vast majority of lightning arrestors and surge protectors I see installed in panelboards are connected to one of the 240 volt breakers. Rarely do I see them at the main lugs or main breaker. Either way will protect the panel, although I can't imagine anything protecting the system from a healthy lightning strike!

[Bruce Thompson]

Originally Posted by bwiley

The vast majority of lightning arrestors and surge protectors I see installed in panelboards are connected to one of the 240 volt breakers. Rarely do I see them at the main lugs or main breaker. Either way will protect the panel, although I can't imagine anything protecting the system from a healthy lightning strike!

So...going back to my conversation with the electric supply house person...

The entire panel is protection by connecting to any one (240) breaker? Not just the circuit it is wired to?

Also, I read the directions that Mike provided (thanks - I found brochures, but no instructions) and it says "connections to a branch circuit breaker that has terminals suitable for use with #14AWG wire..."

So, is it possible to have this wired in the lugs of an unused breaker and still operate properly?

Thanks
Bruce

[Christopher Currins]

This is interesting.....From UL
Many people assume that surge suppressors can protect their home from lightning damage. Surge suppressors are not lightning protection devices - they cannot protect your home or your home's internal electrical wiring from a direct strike. Surge suppressors can, however, protect your equipment from voltage surges caused by unexpected occurrences such as a utility pole downed by a storm.

[Christopher Currins]

AC Residential Surge Arrester
125/250Vac, single phase, 3-wire



Features

* Locknut and bushing furnished for simple mounting.
* Extra long 36" #12 THHN leads for ease of installation.
* Will pass a large number of high-energy surges and half-cycle spikes prior to failing.
* Always fails "clear" to permit continued use of power system.
* Non-conductive base to prevent a blown arrester from being a shock hazard.
* Will not produce carbon dust upon failing like some other arresters, preventing
damage to other equipment
* 4-1/4" high, 2-1/4" diameter
* PVC weatherproof case
* Locknut and washer furnished
* UL Recognized
Simple to install on outside of load center panel, or inside.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

AC Residential Surge Arrester
125/250Vac, single phase, 3-wire



Features

* Locknut and bushing furnished for simple mounting.
* Extra long 36" #12 THHN leads for ease of installation.
* Will pass a large number of high-energy surges and half-cycle spikes prior to failing.
* Always fails "clear" to permit continued use of power system.
* Non-conductive base to prevent a blown arrester from being a shock hazard.
* Will not produce carbon dust upon failing like some other arresters, preventing
damage to other equipment
* 4-1/4" high, 2-1/4" diameter
* PVC weatherproof case
* Locknut and washer furnished
* UL Recognized
Simple to install on outside of load center panel, or inside.

Looks double tapped to me.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by bwiley

The vast majority of lightning arrestors and surge protectors I see installed in panelboards are connected to one of the 240 volt breakers. Rarely do I see them at the main lugs or main breaker. Either way will protect the panel, although I can't imagine anything protecting the system from a healthy lightning strike!

Must be a geographic thing. I've never seen them anywhere but the main...

[Bruce Thompson]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

Features

* Locknut and bushing furnished for simple mounting.
* Extra long 36" #12 THHN leads for ease of installation.
* Will pass a large number of high-energy surges and half-cycle spikes prior to failing.
* Always fails "clear" to permit continued use of power system.
* Non-conductive base to prevent a blown arrester from being a shock hazard.
* Will not produce carbon dust upon failing like some other arresters, preventing
damage to other equipment
* 4-1/4" high, 2-1/4" diameter
* PVC weatherproof case
* Locknut and washer furnished
* UL Recognized
Simple to install on outside of load center panel, or inside

Interesting...the Square D installation instructions say the wires should be short.

WHERE'S PAUL?? WHERE'S MARC SHUNK? HELP!!!

[tdietrich1]

They should be short to reduce inductive resistance.

tom

[Greg Fretwell]

The ones I have installed say they must be on the load side of a 240v breaker.
My main concern with the double tap is the size and type of the lead. I doubt the SqD and CH breakers are listed for a #10 solid and trhe smaller stranded you get on the protector. I had the slots so I put mine on a separate 20a double pole.

[Bruce Thompson]

Originally Posted by Greg Fretwell

The ones I have installed say they must be on the load side of a 240v breaker.
My main concern with the double tap is the size and type of the lead. I doubt the SqD and CH breakers are listed for a #10 solid and trhe smaller stranded you get on the protector. I had the slots so I put mine on a separate 20a double pole.

Which answers my earlier question...

You apparently CAN put this on an unused breaker by itself. Do I understand that correctly?

Thanks,
Bruce

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by bthompson1

Which answers my earlier question...

You apparently CAN put this on an unused breaker by itself. Do I understand that correctly?

Thanks,
Bruce

It would have to be a two pole breaker to be effective for both "hi" sides.

[Bruce Thompson]

Originally Posted by mlarson

It would have to be a two pole breaker to be effective for both "hi" sides.

Right, sorry. Shoulda clarified.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Here's a site with various installation arrangements:

http://www.deltala.com/installa.htm

[Frank P. Newman]

From a purely engineering protection point-of-view it really doesn't matter where it is connected as long as the wires are kept relatively short (because of industance as mentioned above) and the device is connected to both busses (i.e. via the SE lugs or 2 pole breaker). Note that curling the long wires into a coil to keep them "short" would about the worst thing to do.

The main reason that the usual recommendation is to connect thorough a breaker is because often, when a surge arrestor does its job (or tries to), it typically fails at the same time and will need to be replaced. Most of the time I would expect it to fail "clear", thus the need to be able to see the light. If the failure mode is really severe, it will trip that breaker. A connection at the SE lugs would mean having to de-energize the entire panel, often with the assistance of the local utility.