Power surges

[Gonsalviz]

Last year, power surges caused, I guess by lightning cost me in excess of 40,000 baht.

I was looking for a whole house surge protector. At one shop a guy guy told me that there was no such thing. I know that is wrong.

His suggestion was to install a box with 2 30amp fuses (1 line and 1 neutral) between the meter and my electric box. He claimed that the fuses would blow before the surge could damage anything.

Keep in mind that my house is all electric.

2 water pumps 1 from the well and one to the house

3 6000 watt water heaters and a 12,000 watt water heater

1 12000 btu A/C, 2 9000 btu A/C and 1 20,000 btu A/C

7 ceiling fans plus the normal lighting and 2 refrigerators.

This seems to me like a lot of power draw for 30 amp fuses.

If this will not work, where could I get something that will? And an approximate cost.

[Forkinhades]

You can get a whole house house 'surge arrestor' which is more commonly called a Metal Oxide Resistor (MOV), quite easy to install.

His suggestion was to install a box with 2 30amp fuses (1 line and 1 neutral) between the meter and my electric box. He claimed that the fuses would blow before the surge could damage anything.

These fuses cannot handle the current or Voltage that a strike will generate, and the current will 'jump' straight over the contacts, and fry your equipment. The MOVs can

More detailed explanation here witch includes TVSS, and SPDs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surge_protector

[yankee99]

heres what i use

[Crossy]

You can get a whole house house 'surge arrestor' which is more commonly called a Metal Oxide Resistor (MOV), quite easy to install.

His suggestion was to install a box with 2 30amp fuses (1 line and 1 neutral) between the meter and my electric box. He claimed that the fuses would blow before the surge could damage anything.

These fuses cannot handle the current or Voltage that a strike will generate, and the current will 'jump' straight over the contacts, and fry your equipment. The MOVs can

More detailed explanation here witch includes TVSS, and SPDs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surge_protector

And one should never fuse the neutral incomer.

[Crossy]

There's another surge protection thread running here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812207-air-con-circuit-board-fried-surge-protection/

Worth a look too.

[Gonsalviz]

Ok, Now can someone direct me to a place to buy such an item.

Looks simple enough to install.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I am way out in Isan. There is a Global House around 60 km away and a HomePro about 100 km away.

I am located 100 km east of Udon. KK is about 3 hours away.

Edited March 29, 2015 by Gonsalviz

[RichCor]

heres what i use

IMG_2015032911247.jpg

Yankee99,

...where's the Ground Wire in that setup?

[Crossy]

Good point Rich ^^^, without the ground terminal being connected those MOVs will offer significantly reduced protection.

[yankee99]

just get one from aliexpress for about $15

[yankee99]

just get one from aliexpress for about $15

[Crossy]

Guys,

i have been searching all over for a surge protector (like the one in the picture from yankee99) but the only thing I can find is this:

http://www.wipelectric.com/product_desc.php?id_code=18

Is this good enough for whole house protection ? Or is this something completely different?

That is not a surge arrestor!

It is an over/under voltage device that will disconnect your supply when it goes outside the normal range, usually for several seconds.

We have one that triggers the genset when the mains goes out of range (invariably low).

You need something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABB-440V-2-KV-65-KA-DOUBLE-2-POLE-DIN-RAIL-SURGE-ARRESTOR-OVR-N1-65-440S-/281018036783?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item416dfaf22f

or this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dehn-Dehnguard-T275-Single-Pole-Surge-Arrester-A900-650-275V-20A-/150959806024?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2325e7d648

[Crossy]

We got ours from outside Thailand, you may do better searching for one of the lightning protection specialists, they do exist in Thailand.

[KhunBENQ]

Maybe it helps to have an example in Thai?:

http://goo.gl/goWKqe

(short url: original link does not work with the forum SW)

Global Home is not a bad stop for electrical installation.

With the help of a Thai you could order from the shop as seen in the link.

Edited April 6, 2015 by KhunBENQ

[Gonsalviz]

just get one from aliexpress for about $15

You have no idea what everyone is talking about.

[ThaidDown]

just get one from aliexpress for about $15

You have no idea what everyone is talking about.

Thought we were talking about something like this http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/2P-100kA-class-B-surge-protection-device/232508_1874656857.html

15 usd each from Alieexpress as said, but... shipping by DHL ups the cost to almost 31 usd..

[ThaidDown]

heres what i use

IMG_2015032911247.jpg

Yankee99,

...where's the Ground Wire in that setup?

Bottom right of the surge protector is the earth connection , marked with the appropriate symbol. ok, the wire is the wrong colour but I'm sure any surge will not take exception.

[yankee99]

try here

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2P-10-20KA-Din-Rail-Surge-Protection-Lightning-Arrester-/370724479666?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5650e6a2b2

[Crossy]

heres what i use

IMG_2015032911247.jpg

Yankee99,

...where's the Ground Wire in that setup?

Bottom right of the surge protector is the earth connection , marked with the appropriate symbol. ok, the wire is the wrong colour but I'm sure any surge will not take exception.

I'm struggling to see the wire on the ground terminal, maybe a better piccie would help.

[yankee99]

it wasn't connected in that picture but its on the bottom right now.

[ThaidDown]

it wasn't connected in that picture but its on the bottom right now.

Pic previously referred to had a connection bottom right ie earth unless these old eyes were playing more tricks, have now just added an arrow.

[Gonsalviz]

just get one from aliexpress for about $15

You have no idea what everyone is talking about.

Thought we were talking about something like this http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/2P-100kA-class-B-surge-protection-device/232508_1874656857.html

15 usd each from Alieexpress as said, but... shipping by DHL ups the cost to almost 31 usd..

Sorry, I searched several places and only found the plug in rails.

I do believe this type will only fit in LEE YEE boxes.

[Crossy]

just get one from aliexpress for about $15

You have no idea what everyone is talking about.

Thought we were talking about something like this http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/2P-100kA-class-B-surge-protection-device/232508_1874656857.html

15 usd each from Alieexpress as said, but... shipping by DHL ups the cost to almost 31 usd..

Sorry, I searched several places and only found the plug in rails.

I do believe this type will only fit in LEE YEE boxes.

The units in the link are standard DIN mount so they should fit in any DIN consumer unit, in common with other DIN fittings you'll have to arrange your own connections to the relevant points.

[yankee99]

I just took some din rail and screwed it in a box locally available.

[Gonsalviz]

For me it doesn't matter much anyhow.

The twit that did my electric filled the 2 boxes completely full of 22 breakers aside from the circuit protection devices and didn't mark any. I am certain I have 32 amp breakers running the lights in 1 room. If I had the time I could figure it and combine some circuits but I don't and the only worthwhile guy around here is also the local A/C guy. He stays busy all the time.

I need one that will hook in-line with the outside box.

[Crossy]

Plenty of baby DIN boxes that will take a couple of those DIN mount arresters.

Three wires into your main distribution board (5 if you're on 3-phase) and you're good to go.

[Gonsalviz]

Plenty of baby DIN boxes that will take a couple of those DIN mount arresters.

Three wires into your main distribution board (5 if you're on 3-phase) and you're good to go.

Thanks for that. Right now I have a couple of Thai companies that have what I am looking for. I copied the websites in Thai, will take them to my favorite electrician to see if he can locate them.

I already have 2 unsightly boxes on a bedroom wall. Don't really want to add to the clutter.

[Crossy]

I already have 2 unsightly boxes on a bedroom wall. Don't really want to add to the clutter.

Get your local wood chap to make you a nice teak cabinet to hide the lot. No, I've not got around to it yet either.

Maybe I need one of these:-

[yankee99]

I mounted it outside next to my meter. I assume its just as functional outside.

[Forkinhades]

I already have 2 unsightly boxes on a bedroom wall. Don't really want to add to the clutter.

Get your local wood chap to make you a nice teak cabinet to hide the lot. No, I've not got around to it yet either.

Maybe I need one of these:-

Quality

[Crossy]

I mounted it outside next to my meter. I assume its just as functional outside.

Yup, but if you have a long run between meter and house you may get spikes induced in that too. So additional small units on sensitive kit would be a wise investment.

In reality, you can never have too much surge protection, but nothing is going to save you from a direct hit to the low voltage supply lines