How to Install Whole House Surge Protection


 

When installing whole-house surge protection, make sure you understand how and why it works so you can use it effectively. These little guys are little power-sucking, wire-eating monsters that can destroy just about any electrical device or appliance they can latch onto.

Lightning strikes, downed power lines, increased electrical demand, and even temporary surges in large household appliances like air conditioners can all cause these damaging surges. You don't want one of those surges knocking out your electrical service, do you? 

Surge protectors are inexpensive, but make sure that you use one for your entire house.

These devices continually monitor your home's main electrical panel for large electrical surges and safely diffuse excess electricity into the ground. Whole-house surge protection is the ultimate way to protect your home from damaging electrical surges, but you don't need to spend big bucks to do it.

Can I Install a Whole-House Surge Protector Myself?

There are two types of surge protection devices. Type 1 (meter-based surge protectors) are installed outside on your home’s electrical meter and Type 2 (panel-based surge protectors) are installed inside on your home’s main electrical panel.

A skilled homeowner can install a Type 2 surge protector but it's much safer to use the professional services of an electrician when installing a Type 1 device. Type 1 devices are easy to install, but Type 2 devices have additional steps and safety precautions. Even though working in an electrical service panel can be dangerous, it doesn’t always require special training.

The main breaker will shut off the power to each of the breakers in the panel, but there are still high-voltage, live wires coming into the top of the panel, so it’s best to avoid touching the panel until the power has been completely shut off.

If you don’t know how to identify and work around these electrical cables, it’s best to leave this job to an expert electrician.1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plasma display panel (hereinafter, called as a “PDP”).
Whether you need to run power lines across your property, or just want to keep your neighbors up to date on the latest project progress, the above guide can help you through the process of safely installing an SP.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Shut Off the Power

If you want to open your door, you’ll need to first turn off the main breaker switch in the home’s main electrical service panel.

This is the best tool for de-energizing the breakers in a panel, and it minimizes the risks of electrocution.

Remove the screws holding the panel cover in place and unscrew the metal box.

The number and location of the screws that hold the panel in place will vary from panel to panel, but most of them have at least one screw on each of the panel�

You'll have to remove the screws to get to the panel cover. When that's done, carefully remove the panel cover.

Use a non-contact voltage tester to verify that the circuit breaker is working properly.

To determine which black “hot” wire in your circuit is the power source for your TV, find the breakers labeled L1, L2, and L3

The electrician should have already tested the circuits before connecting the new ones, so if the voltage tester lights up, you probably just need to shut the breaker off.

If you have trouble turning off the power to your panels, call an electrician for help.                                   

Step 2: Prep the Panel

In order for the SPD to operate, it needs to be connected to a dedicated double-pole breaker, which is equipped with two wire terminals, takes up two breaker slots and is installed directly next to the main breaker inside the panel. In most cases, this will be in the two breaker slots directly below the main breaker. If there are already breakers housed in those slots, they should be relocated to other available slots in the panel. If your panel is completely full and there are no available slots, you may have to hire an electrician to install a separate sub-panel.


Next, you’ll need to remove one of the “knockouts” — the small, round indentations designed to be removed for feeding wires into the panel — nearest to where the breaker will be installed. The knockout can be removed with a nail punch and hammer or pliers. Next, insert an appropriately sized cable clamp into the hole. Secure it in place using the instructions provided by the manufacturer

Step 3: Mount the Surge Protector

There will be four color-coded wires coming from the surge protector: one green (ground), one white (neutral) and two black (hot). If the ends of these wires don’t come with a small section of insulation removed from the ends, use a wire stripper to remove about 1/2-inch (about 1 centimeter) of the insulation from the end of each wire. Fully insert the wires into the knockout and cable clamp and tighten the clamp. Use the screws provided with the surge protector to mount it onto the wall near the knockout where the wires were inserted.

Step 4: Connect the Wires

Depending on your electrical panel, there may be a single “bus bar” — a vertical metal strip with horizontally punched holes and screws on top — that the ground and neutral wires both connect to. There may also be two bus bars, one for the ground wires to connect to and one for the neutral wires to connect to. In either case, the stripped end of the ground and neutral wires will be inserted into one of the free horizontal holes. Secure them in place by tightening the screw on top. Once tightened, gently tug on the wire to verify it’s securely installed.

The two black wires will then be connected to the double-pole breaker that’s appropriately rated for the electrical demands in your panel. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance on selecting an appropriate breaker.

The double-pole breaker will have two terminals where the wires will be inserted. Each terminal will have a set screw on top that needs to be loosened prior to inserting the wire, then tightened back down after the wire is inserted. Once the live wires are connected, install the breaker into the available slots you created in the second step. On most panels, the breaker will simply snap into place after pressing it onto the slot with moderate pressure.

Step 5: Reassemble the Electrical Panel and Test

Place the panel cover back onto the panel and reinstall the cover’s screws. Switch the main breaker back on, along with the SPD’s breaker if it’s not already on. If your SPD is equipped with an indicator light or digital display, you can use this to verify that the unit is fully operational. If so, your home should now be fully protected from electrical surges. If desired, you can also connect sensitive electronics like computers, tablets and televisions to a surge protection strip for additional protection and peace of mind.

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