SURGE PROTECTORS (SPDs) - What They Are, How They Work, What You Need To Know

In today's video we dive deep into transient over-voltages (surges), Surge Protection Devices, and the new NEC codes that bring major changes to our residential field.
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Surge Protection. Why, where, and wut?
NEC 2020 code requirement changes
The National Electric Code (NEC) sets the standard for electricians and electrical work across the US, with the arrival of it’s 2020 edition adding some substantial changes to the codes on surge protection. The most notable of these changes can be found in “Services” article 230.67, which states that any new or replaced service supplying a dwelling unit must be provided with a Type 1 or Type 2 Surge Protection Device. Residential Services will no longer pass inspection in most jurisdictions without a surge protection device either inside the service panel or immediately adjacent to... Which is kind of a big deal. In addition, NEC has moved the entire article of Surge Protection Devices from 285 in the 2017 edition over to 242, renaming the article Overvoltage Protection in order to incorporate surge arrestors over 1000 volts. Lastly adding a helpful table (Table 242.3) listing other sections of the NEC that mention surge protections for specific uses, such as fire pumps and data centers.
What is a surge?
A power surge or “transient over-voltage" is a spike in voltage to an electrical system that can reach thousands of volts so instantaneously that it has to be measured in fractions of a second. There are multiple types of surges, the most common is caused by large loads with-in the electrical system (e.g., Air Conditioning units, elevators and motors). These surges created by appliances and motor loads are typically oscillatory, or one event that remains just long enough to cause a “rippling effect” in the system and will shorten the life of sensitive electronics. The larger less frequent surges are caused by changes to the grid by the power company and lightning strikes to the grid itself. These surges are typically much larger impulse transients, meaning one spike that dissipates immediately, and can be detrimental to a building's electrical system...
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#electrician #surgeprotector #NEC
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[@IceBergGeo]

Honestly, I recommend you to my apprentices. You have great information that cannot always be conveyed on the job, where time constraints exist. The best ones always listen and want to learn and the worst... Well, you know... Will never read this comment.

[@Brandon-oc6sh]

) I’m gcg, thanks here going home high C gcgcc

[@wildbill23c]

The worst are usually the ones that claim they already know.

[@echtigren8188]

@@wildbill23c When they show up their first day with all brand new tools, somethings up

[@kylelikeskjvbible]

I've seen a lot from Dustin, and its great, but i mainly do industrial and right now our main job is for Formet/Magna automation sector and its mostly installing cable tray, mounting panels and doing cable aesthetics. I've been on the same site about a year and a half and didn't learn all that much. Should I move on?

[@glenjamindle]

Hmm, I wonder if Dustin could explain this if we tied his hands down 😂🤣

[@marks4374]

Restless arm syndrome!

[@luisalvarez8266]

😁

[@Honeybatger]

You just reminded me of Scott Gilmer the car review guy 😅

[@matttyler390]

No

[@apod2020]

He's just making imaginary pizza dough. That's all

[@Decktrio]

Thank you so much! You have taught me so much! I'm an apprentice, and a lot of times when I see something at work that I don't understand, I turn to you to teach me about it!

[@jasonmarroking4357]

I hope to meet you one day man and shake your hand you were the one to get me into the trades and I have been busting my ass going to school and with the help of your videos got raises and more in depth knowledge there is so much a class can teach you God bless you man 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@fern5341]

I’m glad you said it’s confusing. I’ve fallen down so many rabbit holes trying to understand SPDs. Thank you for this explanation!

[@walterwhite553]

Perfect timing for this video!! Just finished installing my first panel with surge protection, my journeyman wants to test me on how the surge protection works tomorrow aha

[@steve-o6413]

You have one of the best explanations I've heard so far, an yet it's still as clear as Mud lol...

[@j.maxwaddell2557]

I greatly enjoy learning from you Dustin. You have tapped into one of your gifts- teaching.

[@siamchief]

Man! That was an awesome explanation, nice way to convey in a few minutes a subject you obviously have devoted a lot of time to, I was planning to hit the suscribe button as soon as you mention the NEC update 👨‍🏫 Thank you!

[@donreid358]

SPDs operate by passing CURRENT to (ground, neutral, common) which reduces the VOLTAGE due to the resistance of the source. The rating is how much current they can handle. The combination of voltage, current, and time is energy (joules). Again, the rating is how much energy they can bypass or absorb.

[@swansontec]

I wanted to say the same thing, but you beat me to it. The SPD works like a switch. When the voltage is normal, the switch is off and no current flows. When the voltage is too high, the switch closes to intentionally create a short-circuit between hot and neutral. This adsorbs the energy from the transient event, converting it into heat inside the SPD. Energy = voltage * current * time, so a higher the Joule rating means the SPD can short more current for a longer time. The voltage should stay constant if the SPD is doing its job.

[@thedude5040]

Ive lost so many electronics and LED light bulbs from transients that im glad its finally a code.

[@db0nn3r]

Hey, just a homeowner here, not electrician, looking for some clarification. Dustin mentioned certain high drain loads like a central ac that strains the system could have an effect on other devices in the home over time. If I were to install surge protected breakers on the large appliances in place of regular breakers, would this protect the other devices and breakers in the home or does that only protect surges coming in from the service line to that particular breaker? Thanks in advance.

[@swansontec]

@@db0nn3r Putting an SPD at the panel should protect your property from all types of surges, including ones caused by your own appliances. It's like the overflow drain on a sink - once the water reaches a certain level, the sink will stop filling, no matter where the water comes from. An SPD is like an overflow drain for electrons - once the voltage reaches a certain level, the SPD will "drain" it down, no matter where the extra voltage comes from.

[@johncspine2787]

@@db0nn3r the AC is less likely a source as the electronics are high quality..you have capacitors helping start the motor and keep it running..the swamp cooler motor I had however, it may have caused my attic fire, but of course no one actually investigated. The power surge which was evidenced in a power strip surge protector, and a fried transformer and control board on the furnace, well, who can say, chicken and egg, did the surge cause the fire, 0r did the fire cause wires to melt which caused a surge in the other stuff??..

[@iancameron3144]

Thank you for using the terminologies correctly! I just found your channel and I’m into it, keep up the good work bro

[@macgyver03ga]

In 2018 We had lightning strike a tree in our backyard about 25’ from the house. It traveled across the ground, blew a small trench in the dirt across the yard, arced on the metal astragal on the French door in our basement that I was standing 5’ away from, blew the ramset nails off the wood piece under the door threshold. We had WHSP on both panels. We lost all the TV’s, AV equipment, garage door openers upstairs on both garages, a fridge in the garage, a ceiling fan on the opposite side of the house on the 2nd story furthest away from the strike, the LED string lights on the back deck, a remote control switch for my dust collection in my workshop, an HDMI cable (had to cut open the ceiling and re-fish a new one because the old one got stuck on something grrr), and the main control board on our Trane Heat Pump in the basement. It was totally random the things we lost and didn’t lose.

[@juicebocs574]

This was a great video. I thought I have a good understanding but you're a Master for a reason! Reevaluating my priorities and saving up for those practice exams

[@fourtwizzy]

Love your passion for the technical accuracy on the topic. Reminds me of using a capacitor to filter AC current.

[@19993gt]

Great info, a lot to take in, but you did a great job explaining it. I understand what and how you describe the 4 different types. I also left understanding that you barely scratch the topic. Keep the content coming. Idk if I’m nerdy enough, but I do enjoy it!

[@tamakifan]

Thank you for your valuable knowledge! And up to date too!

[@leeoien3645]

An excellent overview of Type 1 to 4 and one of the better explanations of what an SPD can and can't with respect to spikes and lightning strikes.

[@richardzapor1983]

I greatly appreciate your videos. Really quite good . As you say it is a very complex subject and some percentage of what your are saying is going over my head, yet it still has a lot of value for me . I am 72 and still working part time as a handyman. In my career I have worked in the AirForce , residential homeowner properties and rental plus commercial restaurant and hotel chief of maintenance and high rise certified safety. so I have had a fair amount of exposure . But you are broadening my knowledge base . I find it very scary that there is so much unsafe grandfathered or stuff done unsafely by people who didnt know what they were doing type electrical situations out there . And finally you are reinforcing in me that I should not take on projects that are beyond my knowledge and experience .

[@michaelmaker8169]

I would say to anyone studying out there to keep trying and learning you will eventually get it. Sometimes other lessons will turn a light on so to speak. Never stop learning.

[@exponentmantissa5598]

There are 3 types of non desirable voltage fluctuations as follows. To start with we normally get a 120 VAC (RMS) 60 Hz sine wave. A surge is when we have condition where the RMS voltage of the mains increase past the nominal 120V. An overvoltage surge typically lasts for several cycles or even minutes. The second type is spikes. These are short term (ms range) high voltage transients that are only present for small fraction of a cycle. The last type is EMI/RFI interference. These are typically low voltage high frequency waveforms that appear in addition to the 120 VAC waveform. These can extend right up into radio frequencies. All electronic devices should contain circuitry to filter EMI/RFI interference and it has very little impact on power equipment. The types of protection that are needed against Surges and Spikes are completely different. Obviously you cant have a piece of equipment that cuts power every time the waveform slightly rises otherwise stuff would continually be turned on and off. Instead surge protection will kick in after a few wave cycles. A spike by its definition is very short term. If one was hit by a very high spike say 10,000V the event will be over before a surge protector can act. Spikes must be acted on and very quickly (typically in mS or uS). Some electronic equipment contain basic spike protection. What they do is run the AC lines on the PCB near a ground line. When the voltage rises on the AC traces it will arc over to the ground line dissipating the energy. For those of you who think that power bars provide adequate spike protection think again as most are useless against a high voltage transient. ALso dont fall for snake oil salesmen trying to sell you power conditioning equipment for your home audio, a complete waste of money. Most spike protectors work by dissipating energy in a spike. This is why they are rated in Joules. I live in Canada and my experience is that power surges that damage equipment are pretty rare. The only one I can think of is when a utility installed the wrong transformer and people got a much higher voltage deliver to their homes. The utility paid damages in that case. Spike damage I have seen and usually it is because the dissipating/switching device has failed. EMI/RFI are annoying but not damaging.

[@ralphcrawford9741]

exponent mantissa, you are absolutely 100% correct, unlike electrician U in this video. It is essentially important to know the DIFFERENCE between surges and spikes, as you have described above, as well as the Joule rating of the protective device, to get the protection you actually need for sensitive devices. If your device needs SPIKE protection there is no reason to purchase any but the (misnamed) "Surge Protector" with the HIGHEST Joule rating. Another source of over-voltages, or surges, is an open neutral wire in a residential 120/240V system (common in the USA). The 240V remains the same but the two 120V "legs" fluctuate up and down as loads are turned on and off, often resulting in burned out equipment and house fires. Open neutrals do not threaten the building's wiring unless the building burns. The Utility is usually responsible for "open-neutral" damage and may try to duck that responsibility by claiming the neutral - ground connection was faulty or the devices were not "surge protected" which is actually "spike protected." Neither of these are actually relevant to the over and under voltage "surges" caused by open neutrals. As an expert witness forensic engineer in many disputed cases, by understanding the difference between surges and spikes, I have caused the Utility company to pay for their open-neutral damages,

[@vbottoni]

hey man, really appreciate your videos. i work for a municipal utility and its good to know more about how electricians operate.

[@JamesRibe]

Type 1 vs Type 2 is particularly relevant if you have an old panel without a main breaker. Our house has a split-bus panel, so we'd need to use a Type 1 device if we wanted to add surge protection to the top half of the panel.

[@robertthegrape2192]

Great video, thanks for the information! Keep up the good work.

[@hubercats]

Thank you! Your presentation is clear and concise.

[@demetriotizcareno980]

Highly appreciate it bro just a lot to learn in the tray with this new technology I do commercial and residential currently in California and there’s a lot to learn take care Happy new year!!

[@filanfyretracker]

The mention on monitoring made me check my UPS and it records why it went to battery and so far thankfully only a few flutters from storms but it does switch off grid for under and over voltage as well.

[@JamesBakerOhio]

Good overview, will be looking forward to the deep dive on this topic

[@donh6416]

I've made service calls to residential customers. Many had no surge protection. One customer used surge protection with a cheap $5-10 protector. After a car crash sent a major spike down the line and into her house, her $10/15 k printer survived. Not the same could be said for her other electronic devices. Never thought a low joule rated surge protector would ever work that well. Now I recommend these for all your electronic devices.

[@MrsBuddevil]

Any brand recommendations?

[@marcellovelame3463]

You’re an awesome teacher! Thank you for the thorough explanation!

[@firpofutbol]

Love your channel man, I've learned a ton .

[@charlesstone8262]

Very good presentation. I now have a better understanding of the SPD, thank you

[@YardpigTSI]

This guys good, I've already learned a lot from a couple of his videos. Keep them coming thanks. A+++

[@joedillon159]

Great great teaching as always! Thank you for teaching us.

[@Inkling777]

Many thanks, you cleared up much of my confusion. For that upcoming video you might get into dedicated surge protectors for particularly surge-prone devices such as HVACs. The exist as much to stop a surge from leaving the device as to protect it from them. My sister was regularly having control boards blow out in her A/Cs. The two were installed alongside one another, so a surge from one would hit the other. I suggested she get HVAC protection on both and that seems to have helped.

[@jeromewelch7409]

Love you too! that was awesome, can't wait for the future video ,were you cover the RMS and non-RMS voltage gradients, Peace

[@Carlg6]

Best info I've seen on surges. I would add the importance of a bonafide outlet ground for type 3 SPD's, otherwise no protection. And equally important, the system ground rod minimum of 2 rods when upgrading with SPD's, though some would say even more, in order to adequately dissipate surges.

[@LaurenSellsEstates]

I don’t think the ground rods have anything to do with this

[@Carlg6]

Surges go to ground. The less resistance to ground, which is where ground rods enter the equation, the better the surge protection.

[@chrismeehan8996]

Another great video explanation, thank you .

[@ljordan3680]

GREAT TOPIC

[@npiwnicki]

This was exactly the explanation I was hoping for

[@chrisswoboda6732]

Awesome coverage on thos topic. A new topic for future, dual function breakers and where they belong.

[@bryancontreras4541]

Great video brother. Thanks for everything

[@MuttMuttOutdoors]

Excellent info. I am currently upgrading systems in the house I just got. Still has knob and tube in it if that says anything. One of the things I thought I splurged on was a Type 1 SPD. I put in a 200A shutoff outside with a 200A panel inside and ran 3/0 copper between the two. Small town so who knows how many surges happen but with my computer equipment I have always tried to keep them on a surge protector and often with battery backup abilities. Anyway I have to wonder something. If there is a surge does the meter recognize that and if that is shunted to ground are you charged for it? If you are then wouldn't it be feasible assumption that we need to change something in the system so that the SPD sits before the meter or in the meter box?

[@erwinbordallo]

Dude, my forte is mostly in avionics, so I've had some technical classes and getting to know construction electrical in my retirement years can be so interesting and yet confusing. I'm sure you have your own business going, but because of your uncanny ability to instruct and in an understandably effective way, you should always keep training/consulting as future aspirations. If the money is there, you should go for it. Be the next Mike Holt and beyond. Thanks once again for sharing your knowledge, it's what makes the world a better place to live. God bless you and all of your endevours!

[@ChristnThms]

Excellent explanation. Thank you.

[@TheFlutecart]

I'm an audio guy learning more about electrician stuff, these voltage surge protectors remind me of what we call "limiters".

[@rm-on9co]

Thanks for sharing the coolest

[@dalewcjr]

Just like to say you did a nice job on the video

[@scotthelmann5156]

Awesome info!

[@mattsmith1318]

Thanks for the knowledge!

[@richz100]

Good stuff, thx for breaking it down.

[@huntera123]

Great presentation.

[@db0nn3r]

Hey Dustin, thanks for all the content over the years. Has helped me tremendously. Quick question to anyone who may know regarding surge protected breakers: Would those protect against wear and tear on devices connected to that breaker during repeated on and off cycles of grid power to solar power and visa versa when used with a solar/battery automatic transfer switch? Thanks!

[@nathanielx23]

Thanks for this bit of information

[@willbedone888]

👍clear as mud, most concepts and terms are new to me, I'll have to review a few times. Thank you so much

[@wolfierobblack]

Wow 😯 well done and well explained. Feeling smarter 🤓after watching this lol . Ty 😎👍👍

[@chengtsai8323]

I wish you had also mentioned more technical specs related to selecting devices. technical things like L-L, L-N clamping voltage, response time, and joule ratings. Perhaps this would be an idea for a future video.

[@jesseestrada4290]

5 year electrical here, Very informative thank you, I am going to buy that book you mention at first, I study the 2017 nec with my electrical courses, I am going to get the 2020 edition, So on that bathroom you could have designed a placement of a two gang gfci on the wall between the two sinks that's my observation on that...again thank you...!

[@jonathanDIYs]

Great video! If I put a Type 2 SPD on my main service panel (outdoors), do I still need one on the subpanel indoors? All the 240V devices are directly on the main service panel - all the 120 outlets and lights are on the subpanel.

[@judjohnson4640]

Question: I just purchased and connect a whole home generator, and after its first test run…both of my refrigerators are now having issues. It’s obviously from the generator, but Not sure what the issue is. When the air conditioners kick on while on the generator the lights to the house dim pretty aggressively for 1 second and then go back to normal. Could this be because of a voltage dip, which then causes the refrigerators to have an issue? And if so is there a surge protector that protects against dips? Thanks so much!

[@steven7650]

As an engineer they are not that confusing. Simply search metal oxide varistor's. It simply changes resistance in the presence of voltage. For SPD's they are chosen so that resistance is about zero below a threshold voltage say 300V past that it becomes more resistive, This causes the excess voltage to be converted into heat. Over time these heating cycles will break the device down or if a spike it too large melt it. This is where the joule rating comes in. The joules of heat the device can soak up because there is a time component to it and how long the spikes are.

[@scottwalker7939]

thank you for your video. great tutelage

[@geraldpatrick9463]

I was in computer sale for a time. One of our customers was a bookkeeping service and as a result had numerous computers. There was a lot of sensitive data on these devices. We put in a surge proctor in the circuit that powered their computers. One day a large truck hit a power pole right outside their offices. it brought down a transmission line (the one that feeds the transformer) across the line from the transformer to the building. I'm told it was 35K volts. It indeed blew up the surge protector. The result was the computers were fine, but the surge protector was toast.

[@pliedtka]

Decent voltage surge can take a lot of electronics with it. It happened to a friend of mine after sub station failed during the storm and Hydro reconnected power a few times.

[@engredisonsuelto]

I really like all your post!

[@bongpay]

Hi Dustin, Love your video. First of all I am not an Electrician. I just know the basic and that is why I watch video like yours to learn more. I have a question regarding Surge Protector and how some surge protector work. I'm talking about the one you install next to the unit like the AC compressor unit. I saw a video in installing a ICM493 and the connection to this connected is like a series connection. I can understand how it work. The surge will get detected by the ICM493 first before the AC compressor so it can cut off the power to the compressor. But the one that connect like a parallel connection like the ICM518 or the RSH50. Its connected or pigtailed to the L1 and L2 of the wires that goes into the AC compressor unit. Since it shares the same wire, when the line get a surge, it will send that surge to the AC compressor and the surge protector. Can you shed a little more light in how protector like the ICM518 or RSH50 protect my AC compressor. Thanks, Phil

[@solargoat]

Love the video! Really recommend type 2 if you have solar panels. Replace a lot of solar products because of power surges.

[@cstar2839]

Wow, who would of thunk! Great video very informative. Thank you

[@alexl7479]

Greate buddy.the best explanation!!!

[@mikeienuso1926]

Hi. I have a Siemens CB Panel. My interlock and 30 amp CB for my generator is on the top right. If I put a type 1 SPD and wire it below that breaker. Will all my loads below be protected? Will the whole left side be protected as well? Or do I have to put another SPD on the Left side top of the panel on the load side? I hope I’m clear. Thank you. All the best to you and family. Mike i.

[@angelab9819]

Great information thankyou. Question.. my computer backup device has been jumping up and down to 245 volts the appliances say 220 to 240 volts is 245 dangerous for my house and device's. Thankyou so much!

[@mattrob15]

ElectricianU can you please do a video on ground vs neutral, bonding, etc.

[@johnbaptist7476]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge , it was very beneficial .∞ ❤ly teaching 👌👏👏👏🙏

[@tonyrobbins6]

We have type 2 protection on most of our panels at work, connected to a separate 220v breaker. What if you wanted to add one to a panel that has no spaces left? Can it be wired in parallel to an existing 220v circuit?

[@JuanRodriguez-qk4oi]

Hey Dustin what would you recommend for a bunch of appliances that together equal around 4,500 watts. I've been looking for power strips/surg protectors that can handle that kind of load and I haven't been able to find any the highest I've been able to see is 1, 800watts and they're rated for 2000 Joules surge protection.

[@bahbarino4479]

Wowzers! Thanks dude,

[@jamesboggs9177]

Quick question, I work electrical maintenance and automation controls at an industrial facility. We have a bunch of expensive machinery that runs off a busway system. Could this work by putting a spd in the panel that feeds the busway? Have had vfd's that got fried from power outages in the past. Its 208v 3 phase if that matters

[@commandertim575]

Very informative, thanks. What about protecting DC PV systems?

[@gabopiquant4959]

Your a great teacher

[@jacob.davis334]

So question, we have installed an external surge protector on a panel feeding an IT room. It’s just tied to a 40A breaker. I’m wondering how does it work when it’s only tied to the bussing instead of having feeders coming in and loading the rest of the panel off the surge protector.

[@storm7610]

That was well explained follow you all the way thank you 👍

[@josephballance2319]

Hi, in sub panel where neutrals and grounds are separated do you cnnect your white from spd to white or ground bar? Tia

[@outlet6989]

Very informative video, though it did bring up a few questions. My house has a surge protector located in my meter box. It was installed by my electric service company. I am charged for this service. On my electric company bill, the extra fee is listed as SURGE. Does this protect me from surges, except for direct lighting hits? Should I replace my regular breakers with SPD breakers? Do I only need to use them to protect my high AMP breakers such as AC, electric stove, water heater, cloths dryer, etc.?

[@datsuntoyy]

If all available breaker locations are taken, can you change some to half breakers to have a pair of slots available for a SPD? Is there any kind of breaker panel mounted line conditioner to reduce electrical noise as well? Thankyou

[@UNITED2009100]

Good job. not too complicated for most to understand.

[@samuelg3586]

Outstanding video. Sincerely , HVAC tech

[@dane5167]

@ElectricianU i just noticed the first book on the left you have on your shelf introduction to electrical theory I have the same one! wasn't ever able to get through any of the math. instead I read mike holts electrical theory. book a few times

[@CaptainMcFartin]

Dustin!! I’m about to take my service from aerial to ug, I plan on running the main feed to a unistrut frame with a meter socket, automatic transfer switch and feed through load center. What is they best type 1 spd available on the market right now?

[@grounded-b937]

Type 1 SPD's are on the line side of the service disconnect, like you said. Typical "type 1" devices are installed between your meter and the meter socket. They need to be approved by the Poco, and installed by the Poco.

[@michaelbeckerman7532]

Do you happen to know what companies make such Type-1 SPDs? I would love to look up the specs on some of these. About how much does one of them cost?

[@Spiritbearrr]

Do all surge protector strips have a built in circuit breaker? is it necessary to have the outlets have that sliding cover to all access or close off access when no in use? What watts, amps and joules are important when getting a good surge protector that will be used by a lot of electrical equipment? is it ok to use the same wall electrical outlet to plug in a surge protector that you plug in a window ac unit?

[@uncrunch398]

I'm using an ebike and trailer to haul around electric lawn equipment. Is there a surge suppressor that will protect a charging li-ion battery and charger while operating high amp equipment from it? I'm looking at the TrippLite Isobar line currently.

[@reikisponge]

For surge protector like Siemens QSPD, from their instruction video looks like it doesn't have to be on the first slot that's closest to the breaker main switch. If there's a surge, say it's installed on far away from the breaker main switch, does it mean those before the surge protector will fry? Or it will go to the surge protector as a least resistant path? How does it work really?

[@rdross80]

I have an old home, and there are quite a few outlets that are only 2 wire (no ground), which makes plug-in surge protectors useless. If I were to buy one of these SPDs to install in my breaker box, would this protect the devices using the 2 wire outlets from power surges?

[@MrBrettrx7]

Wow, so much good info! I’m a real estate inspector in Texas and these videos are helping me have a better understanding of these systems. Thank you sir!

[@J235304204]

Do you need both Type 1 and Type 2 protector installed? I saw most only install type 2, but you seem to have both, what is the reason?

[@DK85]

Great video, Dustin. I used to just pay a guy named Serge to guard my stuff. 😂😎

[@agoogleuser1594]

Do the amp ratings represent how much current the device can shunt away without burning up? For these devices to limit the voltage they need to provide a very low resistance path to ground and therefore will draw a large current.

[@owka4u2]

In Florida I believe lightening roads are requirements in the building codes.

[@Sparkeycarp]

I need to put in surge protection. However there is not enough room in the 100 amp main meter panel. It is small with no room. So the sub panel I installed (replacing a Pushmatic by the way) has plenty of room. My question is will the surge protector protect the whole system or only the sub panel I install it in? Update: So I just got my answer by watching your SPD install video. Protection is reduced, the "let in voltage" increases by the distance coming in from the main panel to the device location. Thanks.

[@brockpetersen2837]

Kinda weird question put I feel like it’d be a cool video. Could we get a GoPro POV of you doing rough in? I’d love to see it. Great video and great content

[@josephballance2319]

I also have a sub panel , will it be practical to install a spd in sub where most(90%) of equipment are powered from instead of a small protector at ea😢ch work station or tv 3rd ? TIA

[@lanthonyperdum6430]

Great information...Thanks a million !!!

[@ElectricianU]

You bet!

[@steveguzman19]

@@ElectricianU Is there any company in Austin, TX you would recommend working for that does new construction & commercial work that you have had a good experience learning the trade? I realize I could just google a bunch of companies but is there one or two that you feel has impacted your career??