Intellicenter Load Center Electrical Questions RE: Surge Protection

[pool512]

I am looking to protect my Intellicenter, and have read the post here on the topic. I have some specific questions I'm hoping to get help with...

Background:

• I have an Intellicenter load center with 100 amps running to it, connected via ethernet.
• I want to add surge protection for this sub panel to protect the Intellicenter.
• I have a single pole opening left after the following, which draw 55.5a total:
  • Intelliflo VS pump (pool) 16a
  • Raypak 406a propane heater 4a
  • Hayward Northstar pump (waterfall) 15a
  • Volt 300W LED transformer (landscape lights) 2.5a
  • Pentair lights (2x SAM, 1 x Amerlite) 15a
  • Intellicenter (inc. SWG) 3a

After reading the TFP article on surge protection, it seems to my understanding that I need:

1. A surge protector for a subpanel. The HEPD80 is mentioned a lot: https://www.amazon.com/Square-Schneider-Electric-HEPD80-Electronics/dp/B00CONA1OQ
2. A surge protector for the ethernet line to the house. The one mentioned in the article is not available anymore. This seems similar: https://www.amazon.com/CERRXIAN-Ethernet-Protector-Protection-Suppressor/dp/B07K4YXQVR/

My questions are:

1. I understand that there are varying levels of protection, but not how the surge protector should be sized for my use. Is the 80 kA protection from the HEPD80 sufficient? Are there better options?
2. Is the ethernet surge protector a good choice to protect the panel from the electronics in the house it connects to (patch panel to 48 spot switch)?
3. I understand that the surge protector needs to run to 2x 20a breakers. Given that I have a single 1-pole spot left, can I use a double 20a breaker in a single pole config like this: Siemens (2) 20 Amp Tandem Single Pole Type QT NCL-Circuit Breaker Q2020NCU - The Home Depot

Thanks in advance for any assistance! The expertise here always helps me close the gap on my DIY capabilities, and is greatly appreciated.

 

[ajw22]

1. I understand that there are varying levels of protection, but not how the surge protector should be sized for my use. Is the 80 kA protection from the HEPD80 sufficient? Are there better options?

The 80kA is the maximum size of the surge it will protect. The larger the better. You don't know what size surge will hit you.

Surge protectors are made to protect from power distribution surges and not lighting strikes. These devices are unlikely to protect your equipment from a nearby lightning stroke and its associated EMP.

1. Is the ethernet surge protector a good choice to protect the panel from the electronics in the house it connects to (patch panel to 48 spot switch)?

See above about lightning strikes. That little thing is unlikely to handle the power lightning has.

It is better then nothing and if it gives you comfort for $10 put it in.

1. I understand that the surge protector needs to run to 2x 20a breakers. Given that I have a single 1-pole spot left, can I use a double 20a breaker in a single pole config like this: Siemens (2) 20 Amp Tandem Single Pole Type QT NCL-Circuit Breaker Q2020NCU - The Home Depot

No, that double breaker is not suitable to connect a surge protector to.

What you can do is replace one of your single breakers with the dual breaker. Remove one of your single breakers and wire it into the dual breaker. Now you have two slots open for a 20A 240V breaker to connect the surge protector to.

The surge protector breaker should be at the bottom of the breaker stack to be next to the electrical feed connections to intercept the surge before it travels up the breaker stack.

 

[pool512]

The 80kA is the maximum size of the surge it will protect. The larger the better. You don't know what size surge will hit you.

Surge protectors are made to protect from power distribution surges and not lighting strikes. These devices are unlikely to protect your equipment from a nearby lightning stroke and its associated EMP.



See above about lightning strikes. That little thing is unlikely to handle the power lightning has.

It is better then nothing and if it gives you comfort for $10 put it in.



No, that double breaker is not suitable to connect a surge protector to.

What you can do is replace one of your single breakers with the dual breaker. Remove one of your single breakers and wire it into the dual breaker. Now you have two slots open for a 20A 240V breaker to connect the surge protector to.

The surge protector breaker should be at the bottom of the breaker stack to be next to the electrical feed connections to intercept the surge before it travels up the breaker stack.

That's great info! Thank you!! A few follow-ups if I may:

1. RE: the 80 kA surge protector - is there a better recommendation? That's just the one I see frequently mentioned here.
2. RE: the ethernet protector - is there a better recommendation, or is that the nature of the issue?
3. Can anything protect against a nearby lightning strike, or is surge protection the best reasonable protection in this case?

Thanks again!

 

[ajw22]

RE: the 80 kA surge protector - is there a better recommendation? That's just the one I see frequently mentioned here.

I put in a Siemans First Surge FS140 which is a 140,000 amp protector and one of the largest you can get.

1. RE: the ethernet protector - is there a better recommendation, or is that the nature of the issue?

No, I think any lightning hit will jump over the protector. It is too small to provide much protection.

The best protection is to airgap your outdoor panel from your indoor network by using a wireless link.

1. Can anything protect against a nearby lightning strike, or is surge protection the best reasonable protection in this case?

Install lightning rods on the roof of your house wired into 10 foot ground rods.



Or put a Faraday cage around your house.

Lightning Protection Overview - Lightning Protection Institute

The Lightning Protection Institute is a nationwide not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to promote lightning protection education, awareness, and safety.

lightning.org

Roof Lightning Protection Systems for Commercial Buildings - IKO

Lightning protection systems mitigate the risk of a strike if they are properly integrated with the roofing system. Learn about these important systems.

www.iko.com

 

[Turbo1Ton]

RE: the 80 kA surge protector - is there a better recommendation? That's just the one I see frequently mentioned here.

I used the HEPD80 as it can be installed as a Type 1 SPD, direct to the bus, no breaker required. The Siemens FS140 will take a larger surge, but it is a Type 2 and must be wired to a breaker.

I had no additional breaker slots available to add the breaker for the FS140.

--Jeff

 

[pool512]

I used the HEPD80 as it can be installed as a Type 1 SPD, direct to the bus, no breaker required. The Siemens FS140 will take a larger surge, but it is a Type 2 and must be wired to a breaker.

I had no additional breaker slots available to add the breaker for the FS140.

--Jeff

I thought I've read here that even the HEPD80 must be wired to a breaker?

 

[pool512]

I put in a Siemans First Surge FS140 which is a 140,000 amp protector and one of the largest you can get.



No, I think any lightning hit will jump over the protector. It is too small to provide much protection.

The best protection is to airgap your outdoor panel from your indoor network by using a wireless link.



Install lightning rods on the roof of your house wired into 10 foot ground rods.

View attachment 606790

Or put a Faraday cage around your house.

Lightning Protection Overview - Lightning Protection Institute

The Lightning Protection Institute is a nationwide not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to promote lightning protection education, awareness, and safety.

lightning.org

Roof Lightning Protection Systems for Commercial Buildings - IKO

Lightning protection systems mitigate the risk of a strike if they are properly integrated with the roofing system. Learn about these important systems.

www.iko.com

View attachment 606791

Thanks again! I like the faraday option... could also help keep things running if we ever get hit by an EMP.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I thought I've read here that even the HEPD80 must be wired to a breaker?

Figure 4, page 6

https://download.schneider-electric.com/files?p_enDocType=Instruction+sheet&p_File_Name=NVE82551_HEPD50-HEPD80_instruction-bulletin_rev05-09-22.pdf&p_Doc_Ref=NVE82551

--Jeff

 

[Ahultin]

I also used the siemens fs140 which I purchased thru a local electrical supply house for significantly less than it seemed to be available online ( it was under $200). Be careful as there are now import clones of it being sold online. In our area, the likelihood of needing it are slim but I figured for the cost ot was cheap insurance.