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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
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kijanki OP
4,428 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.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
I had one installed next to my 200 amp box for about $400. This will stop big hits BUT, I do say BUT, some charge will still get through before it trips. It almost never trips even if surge protectors around the house do go (they are more sensitive). However, on a big lightning strike a few years back, the whole house surge tripped and then my PS Audio Quintet fried. That's ok. I lost a $500 PS Audio to save my entire system.
I recommend both whole house and individual units if your home is like mine and gets hit with surges too often.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki OP
4,428 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.)
audioquest4life
770 posts
 
How about one of these:

http://store.acousticfrontiers.com/Environmental-Potentials-EP-2050-Whole-House-Surge-Protector.html

Seems to be an audio related surge protector.

Audioquest4life
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Washer is $450, electronic control block is $350 blown by surge. Resurrected my old vintage 21 year old US made Wirlpool from garage with knobz, cleaned pumps, lubricated motor, replaced agitator and trashed the 2yr new one with blown electronic control block to the scrape metal yard. Same thing is happening soon with dryer. KNOBZ only no buttons darn! Don't wanna use Furman for my laundry closet LOL!
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