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Environmental Potentials whole house surge protection, can I get your opinions?

I'd like to protect my whole house from surges rather than use individual units around the house.
The power on the NE is pretty good, but I know all it takes one bad zap. Have any of you installed this unit and do you think it works?
gdnrbob
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,467 posts
 
I installed an EP 2050 after a surge took out a Vandersteen amp....never had a problem since installation.....it actually had a benefit to the sound of the system.
gdnrbob OP
4,444 posts
 
Thanks everyone, it looks like this is more complicated than I thought.
Eric- your Home Depot link list many different units, did you have one in particular that you would recommend?
Jea48, thanks for the links, though they seem more geared to an industrial setting. 
It looks like the layered approach is the way to go. 
So, what do any of you recommend for the mains box?

jea48
4,424 posts
 

gdnrbob,

Here  is a pretty good one.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Eaton-Whole-House-Surge-Protector-CHSPT2ULTRA-1/204761136

Are you planning on installing it yourself or hiring an electrician to install it?

.

falconquest's avatar
falconquest
1,108 posts
 
Furman's claim to fame is their application to commercial or professional sound applications. They maintain nearly all of the market in professional sound reinforcement systems. Using the "guilt by association" model, one could draw the conclusion that if professional sound companies by a vast majority utilize and rely on Furman products to protect their systems, they will probably work for your home system as well. I'm not saying that their products will protect your system from a direct lightning strike but they are obviously reliable if they are the standard in professional applications. Let me make it clear that I have no affiliation with Furman whatsoever.
erik_squires
16,049 posts
 
Hi OP,

Many of them are panel brand specific, so I would consult with your electrician as to whichever is best for your needs. They all work on the same parallel principle, with MOV’s AFAIK. Not perfect, but they work much better at the panel than at the outlet.

Furman is very popular in professional use and a better value in the home than many "audiophile" power conditioners. The Series Mode surge suppression is built under license. Other users of the technology include SurgeX (unnecessarily expensive) and PS Audio.

Note Furman makes like 3 dozen models. Look for SMP, and LiFT to help you decide.

Given a choice, I am completely confident in the Furman’s and that’s what I use on my gear but would also install panel protectors to save things like my microwave, Tesla charging station, etc. :)

Best,


Erik
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