SPD NEWS: Understanding the Discontinuation of the FS140 Surge Protector and Its Replacement

[@halledwardb]

Thanks for the update. Personaly ive had so much good luck with the Seimens that it would be hard for me to switch. One day the FS was there and the next BAM they were listed at $450. Just recommended the new Seimens to a friend. Ill be using the boltshield myself on the new project. Ill really need some more war stories with the vortex to switch.

[@abrelectric]

@@halledwardb I'll work on the war story :-) the bolt Shield is a good product the lack of flush mounting for me is just a big problem

[@halledwardb]

@abrelectric I could certainly see that in a pre finished panel. Good to have options though!

[@Terable13]

Lifetime warranty is a red flag. SPDs contain components that are sacrificial and a 5-10 year warranty is realistic. I do not see any connected equipment covered by the PSP brand, nor the new FSPD140 which is using "new" but unproven technology that deviates from the industry standard of individually thermally fused MOVs (Metal Oxide Varistors) . All surge protectors can offer some protection from ground faults created by distant lightning strikes, and possibly mitigate damages from a direct strike, but that energy will not necessarily go through the main service with the SPD, which is why a cascading plan of surge protectors is best. OR, unplug things when you are in a storm or power outage.

[@lolerdongs]

Is the FS140 better in any other way than boltshield other than the faceplate? Is there any difference in the tech inside? Also where can we purchase the Vortexx? I dont see sny sellers online

[@abrelectric]

@lolerdongs No, there isn't a significant difference between the Bolt Shield and the FS140. I can get you a PSP Vortexx shipped for $185, assuming you're in the mainland US. Let me know.

[@Terable13]

@@abrelectric actually, there is.

[@Terable13]

The Boltshield is using a pillstack of tiny MOVs with a single thermal fuse and 10 year warranty with no connected equipment, whereas the FS140 was using individually thermally fused MOVs and had a 10 year warranty which included connected equipment.

[@lolerdongs]

@@Terable13 Hmm, interesting I had looked this up earlier and both the listing on Amazon for the FSPD140 and a Siemens PDF says it also uses "Thermally protected MOVs." Is that the same thing as "thermally fused MOVs"?

[@Terable13]

@@lolerdongs Thermally protected is not the same as individually thermally fused. Basically, Boltshield has a single thermal fuse and all the tiny MOVs work at the same time rather than the individually thermally fused larger MOVs that work in tandem which once one MOV comes to its end of life, the thermal fuse moves the MOV out of line and the next one takes over until the SPD comes to its end of life.

[@lolerdongs]

I also saw that PSP has commercial ones that have 240ka protection, can these be installed in homes?

[@abrelectric]

@@lolerdongs I am checking with PSP tech support. For that unit that shows a range of a protection from 120 through 240 ka, it does show a single phase wire up, but I don't know if it has the higher protection level. I will let you know

[@abrelectric]

@lolerdongs it can be wired single phase. However, the surge ratio g is still 120Ka in that application, as I understand. The PSP suggested the Hurricane category 3 as a very solid alternative

[@lolerdongs]

@@abrelectric great, thank you for the info and check with PSP! I was hoping we'd get the 240ka protection but maybe too good to be true haha

[@abrelectric]

@lolerdongs that particular unit looks like primarily a 3 phase application. Good research though! I learned a bunch.

[@Terable13]

@@abrelectric you can use any kA rating. Just needs to be the right voltage.

[@jankuehl4207]

I've been searching for siemens fs140, all I find are no-name or foreign named (Indian or Chinese branded versions of the fs140. have no idea if they are knock-offs or counterfeits, or if they are legal licensed versions. but I found a dozen different brands, so I'm guessing Siemens lost the patent. So I went with the FSPD140 Bolt shield because it still includes the Siemens Name.

[@abrelectric]

@@jankuehl4207 let me know if you need any flush mount plates for the FS140. I've got plenty

[@Terable13]

They're most likely know-offs. The FS140 was being manufactured by ASCO and they were bought by SqD/Schneider.