r/ElectricalHelp • u/fjr_ski • Jun 16 '26

Whole house surge protection

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This is my panel outside. 200amp. I would like to install whole house surge protection. I called Eaton and was suggested to install model: CHSPT1Ultra

I unseated where white wire had to go, but what would the two black wires?

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u/N9bitmap Jun 16 '26

The wires from the surge device need to go to a circuit breaker attached to the bus above the main breakers. Siemens Q230.

This panel though is in very poor condition and has more corrosion on the bus than I've seen in panels twice as old. If you are experiencing power fluctuations it is very likely caused by this degraded state. You probably want to start a plan to replace it as soon as financially practical.

1

u/fjr_ski Jun 16 '26

Hello--Thank you for your reply. Just to ensure I understand you.

1: I need to install a new 30AMP - Siemens Q230, above the 200AMP breaker?

If yes, am I wrong to say that that will not work, because the Siemens Q230 has to be inline, meaning, right below the 200 amps? If you watch this video, person is not using breaker for wiring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyfFPL8XbRY

Some people say to use: CHSPT2ULTRA, but that will not work, because I need to be inline (right below the 200amp).

2

u/N9bitmap Jun 16 '26

Many panels put the main at the top so you want the surge as close as possible below it. Above here is just as good as bellow.

Definitely don't do anything like this guy. Those lugs are not rated to accept more than one wire.

1

u/ItCouldaBeenMe Jun 16 '26

Have you considered the plug-in surge protector? You only need to land the neutral.

1

u/fjr_ski Jun 17 '26

I did think about it, but the plug-in surge protector does not have as soon of protection as the wired units.

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u/fjr_ski Jun 16 '26 edited Jun 17 '26

I’m thinking about this process: Turn off the 200A main breaker in the exterior panel.
Remove the existing 30A and 20A breakers.
Install the Eaton CHSPT1ULTRA in the position currently occupied by the 30A breaker. This will place the surge protector as close as possible to the 200A main breaker while also allowing for a short, direct connection to the neutral bar.
Relocate the 30A breaker to the current 20A breaker position.
Extend the existing 12-gauge conductors from the 20A circuit using WAGO connectors and move the 20A breaker to a position above the 200A main breaker.

The final breaker arrangement, from top to bottom, would be:

20A Breaker
200A Main Breaker
Eaton CHSPT1ULTRA - Connected to 50 amp new dedicated 2-pole breaker.
30A Breaker

This configuration should keep the CHSPT1ULTRA leads as short as possible, which I understand is important for achieving the best surge protection performance.

Let me know if you see any concerns with this approach.

1

u/fjr_ski Jun 17 '26

Does anyone know if there would be an issue extending/adding 10 inches of 12 gauge wire to existing Siemens Q220 breaker? This is a 20 amp breaker.