Seimens unit. Needs a dedicated 20A breaker. Panel is full.
Ideas?
Ideas?
200A Panel Full - want to install full house surge protector
- Thread starter Pablo
- Start date
That is an option. The pain there is the bottom most are the big current breakers in the panel. Best bet is to attack the middle
It's nice to be so specific in breaker assignments but it seems overkill to have dedicated circuits for something like the laundry room (washer and dryer already have dedicated circuits), hood (stove hood ?), living room, dining room, and office. Maybe not very practical but many of those could be combined.
Mine is double tapped. My inspector got his panties in a wad until he saw what it went to.
Well many of those are "suggested" locations as find out. Laundry is that room yes and next baffroom, hall, closet and second hall.
Best though will be to skinny those and see if I can make space.........
I don't know what the regulations are like in the US, but here in the UK the job of the circuit breaker is to protect the cables within that circuit from being overloaded, therefore it is totally acceptable to take multiple radials from a single breaker. If that was in the UK and I (a fully qualified time served electrician) had the same issue, I'd just come off an existing 20A breaker. After all, the SPD isn't going to be drawing current when not in a 'fault' situation.
Not an electrician. Could you move the generator transfer to a separate unit outside the box?
When you guys say "skinny", are you referring to tandem mini breakers? On my recent panel install upgrade, the inspector stated those are not code compliant.
When you guys say "skinny", are you referring to tandem mini breakers? On my recent panel install upgrade, the inspector stated those are not code compliant.
Makes sense. There's only so much space in those stupid labels. I have a Google Sheets spreadsheet with add'l details:You could but the way it's set up is to have the breaker interlock there. You can't turn ON the generator circuit without turning OFF the MAIN.
Yes, tandem breakers. They are certainly code-compliant if the breaker box says they can be used. Some boxes don't but most seem to allow them. The "manufacturer's" spec is almost always covered in electrical code.
No, it has to be adjacent to the main breaker to make the interlock work.
Double lug it. It is what it is
Some SPDs allow you to use an existing circuit. I think the most important consideration is that the wires to the SPD are as short and straight as possible. Ideally it should be closest to the main, but I don't think that is as important as the SPD will likely be the shortest circuit anyway and take the hit first.
You could also free up space by combining some circuits? Eg lights and hood could probably be combined, and maybe AC outlet (assuming this is a service receptacle) and garage outlets?
You could also free up space by combining some circuits? Eg lights and hood could probably be combined, and maybe AC outlet (assuming this is a service receptacle) and garage outlets?
As a professional licensed electrician, I would combine the AC service outlet (that is rarely used) with your washer or hood. Pigtail then both under one wire nut and free up that space. Or you could buy a tandem breaker for 18 bucks. Wire nut is cheaper tho.
80% of surges come from within the home, I HIGHLY suggest you use POU protectors. I have 16 of these and have NEVER lost anything when I'm in the surge / lightning capital.
https://zerosurge.com/
https://zerosurge.com/
I expensed a zero surge for work when they bought a new 50k printer, seems like a solid choice.
For home I've purchased a handful of ESP XG-PCS on ebay for about $20-25 each. Have it on my fridges, TV..etc
The issue in the US is that the breaker wire lug is normally not rated for more than one wire.
I decided against adding that whole house surge protector.
I have all the important stuff sans the washing machine and DW already protected, and maybe 5-7 more years in this house. I guess I'll take my chances.
I have all the important stuff sans the washing machine and DW already protected, and maybe 5-7 more years in this house. I guess I'll take my chances.
OP decided against it.
For others who are following, as mentioned condense existing circuits using half breakers. That will give you the room to install the surge anyplace that you want. Which is in some cases away from the main service line, still better than nothing. I have mine in the center because I didnt want to bother doing much more than this simple device. *Also know small many small surges come from high amp appliances in your home so center mounted on a lower capacity unit that I have is not such a bad idea. There is also some controversy as to how close the surge breaker has to be right next to the incoming service line. You know when, "it was always done this way" comes into play? Well, some say that the resistance is so low on a buss bar that placement is not as critical as some say it is. Im not saying it isnt, just saying what I did.
I already use plug in surge in the house on every device, my heat pump has a powerful surge that I installed.
This is just a bonus lower capacity installed right on the buss bar. I didnt feel like cutting the drywall and back to the * above.
I had the room in my box but the service line comes in at the bottom, I moved two breakers to the top and installed the surge in the middle which is right next to the high amp circuits. I took the easiest route. Im not in a high risk area. I did it to help clean up lower level surges to the electronics should they ever occur before they get to the other surge mounted at the outlets. It also reduces surges to the high amp devices which are loaded with electronics too but hard wired in. Range, Dryer. Im sure the heat pump creates more surges than my underground utilities and that has even a more robust one (last picture)
Heat pump surge below
@Pablo
I assume you use propane for your generator (because of your tank size) or is it gas?
Any particular brand?
For others who are following, as mentioned condense existing circuits using half breakers. That will give you the room to install the surge anyplace that you want. Which is in some cases away from the main service line, still better than nothing. I have mine in the center because I didnt want to bother doing much more than this simple device. *Also know small many small surges come from high amp appliances in your home so center mounted on a lower capacity unit that I have is not such a bad idea. There is also some controversy as to how close the surge breaker has to be right next to the incoming service line. You know when, "it was always done this way" comes into play? Well, some say that the resistance is so low on a buss bar that placement is not as critical as some say it is. Im not saying it isnt, just saying what I did.
I already use plug in surge in the house on every device, my heat pump has a powerful surge that I installed.
This is just a bonus lower capacity installed right on the buss bar. I didnt feel like cutting the drywall and back to the * above.
I had the room in my box but the service line comes in at the bottom, I moved two breakers to the top and installed the surge in the middle which is right next to the high amp circuits. I took the easiest route. Im not in a high risk area. I did it to help clean up lower level surges to the electronics should they ever occur before they get to the other surge mounted at the outlets. It also reduces surges to the high amp devices which are loaded with electronics too but hard wired in. Range, Dryer. Im sure the heat pump creates more surges than my underground utilities and that has even a more robust one (last picture)
Heat pump surge below
@Pablo
I assume you use propane for your generator (because of your tank size) or is it gas?
Any particular brand?
JHZR2
Staff member
Can you get double breakers for that panel? If so remove a few, put them in doubles, then install this with a two pole per instructions. Easy.
Otherwise get a 50-100A two pole, install a sub panel, put four+ circuits on the sub panel. That will give you expansion for the future too.
Otherwise get a 50-100A two pole, install a sub panel, put four+ circuits on the sub panel. That will give you expansion for the future too.
