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Electric Panel Surge protection

So, initially, I was thinking of getting a Puritan PSM156 which handles surge protection. 

However, ever since, I had an issue with some surges at home (garage panel died as an example), I had spoken to my electrican (friend of the family) and he suggested to surge protect my whole panel/home. 

I was suggested to get this model from my audio store, might be overkill? TPD TK-TTLP-1S240-FL , comes with a lifetime warranty. 

My question first is, how many of you surge protect your whole panel and does this really then make it worry free for my audio equipment? and only need to get a power conditioner after that doesn't have surge protection?

Once I can get some feedback on this, then I can move onto looking at models to get after. 

skads_187
zlone
1,348 posts
 

I am not an expert, but I bought a Siemens model for a LOT less than that. That model might be overkill for a house. 

facten
3,124 posts
 

@skads_187  I use Blue Circle power conditioners which aren't made any more. Yes you still should have surge protection at your equipment as I noted per my electrician.  Below are links to ZeroSuge, Brickwall for info on their non sacrificial products

https://zerosurge.com/

https://www.brickwall.com/pages/the-worlds-best-surge-protectors?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1608956600&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3aLHBhDTARIsAIRij5_-EL_37K9tfllkNUmvnm-SwAyujQ-eyNfqMLKSmdTXiWwLfUBm5H0aAihTEALw_wcB

 

 

skads_187 OP
79 posts
 

@zlone I think you are right, ill probably go with a Siemens. 

skads_187 OP
79 posts
 

@jpwarren58 yes, I do get surges (tend to lose power about 2-3 times every winter) and pray I never get a lightning strike kind.

whart's avatar
whart
3,374 posts
 

I’ve installed a Siemens First Surge at the main panel (replacing an Eaton before that),  but also use additional point of use surge protection in the house for computers, printer and TV system as well as certain appliances like the microwave oven.

My main hi-fi system is fed by a 10kVa Iso Transformer that has a surge board inside the NEMA case, which obviates the need for any point of use surge protection for the individual components. My vintage Quad Loudspeakers are plugged into a ZeroSurge--since they need to be powered up for at least 24 hours before playing (not true for later Quad stats as far as I know). 

I also have a whole house back up generator 26kVA that has its own service panel. Only the appliances wired to that secondary panel are "backed up" by the generator and that panel has a surge protector on it when normally operating from the grid. If it throws over to the generator for power due to electrical service going down, the generator has surge protection integrated into its electronics.  I used this wiring scheme in part to avoid having the automatic transfer switch (ATS) in the same circuit as the main hi-fi. I am not supporting the big hi-fi system with generator power- if we lose grid power, I’m not interested in running the hi-fi from the backup generator. 

FWIW, to answer your question whether whole house surge protection obviates the need for point of use type, the folks at ZeroSurge claim that a lot of surges are internal to your household circuitry and according to them, a whole house surge unit is not a complete solution. I’ve covered my bets by using both and on the big hi-fi, I hear no negative effects from the Iso Transformer with built-in surge board. 

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