Topic: Need Help - Looking for 240v Power Surge Protection - page 2. (Read 1428 times)

On top of that, in the US there *are* NEC regs covering protective devices including surge suppression NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code (NEC), Section 285. A good coverage of it and more importantly - proper implementation - is http://ecmweb.com/code-basics/surge-suppression-devices

Key point for your electrician to reference:
"Installation. SPDs aren't essential to the prevention of fires, so the NEC doesn't require anyone to install them. However, incorrect installation poses a hazard. Therefore, if you install SPDs, you must install them per Art. 285. Don't install SPDs in any of the following applications [285.3]: "

Many electricians do not know how or why a 'whole house' protector is so effective.  Electricians are taught what must connect to what - as defined by a code that only addresses human safety.  Fundamental concepts that apply to surge protection (impedance, equipotential, single point earth ground, etc) are not taught to electricians.  Since those concepts are not relevant to protecting human life or meeting the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Concept is simple.  No protector (not even a 'whole house' protector) does protection. Protectors are only connecting devices to what does protection - just like a lightning rod.

Lightning rod connects to protection to protect a structure.  Protector connects to protection to protect appliances inside that structure.  Both must be installed to not threaten human life.  Code (and Type 1, 2, 3) defines that aspect. But code (and Type 1, 2, 3) says nothing about why 'protection' makes an effective solution.

For example, follow a bare copper wire that goes from breaker box to earth ground.  If that hardwire goes up over a foundation and down to an earthing electrode, then it satisfied code (for human protection). And may compromise surge protection.  Wire my be too long (ie more than 10 feet).  Multiple sharp bends over a foundation are code acceptable but compromise protection.  Many electricians would not know this. Training is only about codes for human safety.  Their training typically says nothing about appliance protection.

Another critical number is a protector's ampere number.  Lightning is typically 20,000 amps.  So a minimal 'whole house' protector is 50,000 amps.  Number says little about protection during each surge.  It defines protector life expectancy over many decades and many direct lightning strikes.  Only better informed electricians would know that.

If they don't know about surge protection, then you have talked to some un-professional professional electricians.

An effective protector is only a connecting device to something completely different that actually absorbs hundreds of thousands of joules.  Best protection at each appliance is already inside each appliance.  Your concern is a rare transient (maybe once every seven years) that can overwhelm protection is anything (including robust protection already inside computers).

That Eaton 'whole house' protector is one well proven solution.  But again, it is only as effective as its eaarth ground.  Care is required to make sure that breaker box protector makes a low impedance (ie less than  10 foot) connection to single point earth ground.  Also all other incoming utilities (TV cable, telephone, satellite dish, invisible dog fence) must make a low impedance connection (ie hardwire ha no sharp bends) to that same ground.  Otherwise all protection is compromised.

That is your 'secondary' protection layer. Again, each protector is only as effective as its earth ground (that plug-in protectors do not have and will not discuss).  Inspect your 'primary' protection layer.  Relevant pictures (ignore text) about half way down and after the expression "more safety hazards" demonstrate what must be inspected to protect computers and everything else.

Ignore Type 1, 2, and 3 descriptions.  Those define human safety.  A type 3 protector in a type 1 location seriously increases fire risk.  Effective protectors are not defined by 'Type'.  They are defined by a connection to and quality of earth ground - for protection during each surge.  And are defined by a spec number (ie 50,000 amps) - for life expectancy of the protection.

Protection is always an answer to this question.  Where do hundreds of thousands of joules harmlessly dissipate.  A protector is only as effective as its earth ground.

Thank you guys for your very well explained answers.

The problem I have, is that I've been contacting many proffessional electrician, local store and they dont know anything about what I want to achieve.
I've been doing research and what I'm thinking is to buy something like this for my main panel: ( https://www.amazon.ca/Eaton-CHSPT2ULTRA-1-Phase-Whole-Protection/dp/B01AQAKRSS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490458133&sr=8-1&keywords=eaton+surge+protector )
What is your opinion about a product like this?

I also want to buy something like Qctechno mentionned, to put a PDU between my miner and my power input.
The problem is, I only find PDU online with 24+ power plug... I can't find any with around 4 to 8 power plugs only with decent surge protector in it.
Would you guys have any idea of a brand or where I could find these online?
And what is important to check in the specs of PDUs to be sure they will correctly protect my rigs ?

Thank you again and I wish you all a good day!

If you have great electronics experience or know a friend who does, DIY a surge protector for far cheaper than buying one.
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/appliances-gadgets/4910-jelly-jar-surge-protector.html

And I do highly recommend also using motor run caps so that small surges (which are very common - think inductive spikes from switching loads) do not add wear to the MOVs.

Other than that, SurgeX claims to have an alternative design that is superior to conventional MOV designs, but is a lot more expensive. It's a big series inductor plus an active clamp. Should be possible to DIY one but even that isn't going to be cheap unless you're good at hunting down cheap (and still in good condition) surplus parts to build it with.

You can add a PDU between your miner and 240V input. This will add a layer of protection.

I purchased one here
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/garage-cleanup-server-psus-pdus-older-bitcoin-miners-1834272

Seller still have some and didn't ask much for them.

PDF Manual here
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0ahUKEwjynqLGwu3SAhUi94MKHZm8BEAQFgg2MAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.avocent.com%2FResources%2FDocuments%2FInstaller_-_User_Guides%2FCyclades_PM_IPDU_Installer_User_Guide.aspx&usg=AFQjCNFTZlulMoSEwaTWjrFbA86cYQd09g&sig2=jcua-LgA4MwbNtsp63HL7w&cad=rja

Basically there are 3 levels of surge protection:
- Direct lightning strike, Type 1.
These things are fucking huge, think 19" cage filled with biggass MOV's and spark gaps.

- Normal building ones, Type 2.
These you mount in your fusebox and protect the feed it is on from high overvoltages, but not direct strikes.
They are the size of a large current breaker.

- Plug-pack of socket strip type ones, Type 3.
The only protect the device directly connected to it.
These you also have for phone line, ethernet, etc.

In some countries having type 2 is mandatory, I have one here because I can, my electrician didn't know they existed (sigh).

Type 3 isn't very useful without a type 2 nearby, they can't protect against a lot of power (since they are small).

Keep in mind they they need a really good ground connection to be effective, if they can't short high power to ground they won't do a thing.

Besides the types you have ones that protect phase/neutral separately to ground and types that protect them to each other and then to ground.
The difference between them is not that huge, the second type usually has a lot lower activation voltage on neutral, but most devices can have mains voltage on the neutral without problems so that doesn't really matter.
The type 3 ones are always the first type, simply because you can't count on the neutral being on the correct pin, type 2 ones are mostly the latter.

Sounds like the best option would be asking professional electrician to come and install surge protectors in your fuse box.

Try searching "surge protector dehn"
and you know what I mean.

There are some good explaining pictures in the picture search.

Any help please ?

Hello,

I want to switch my rigs on 240v for the sake of not busting my max amp, but I can't find any Power Surge protector or a proper system to protect my rigs on 240v.
Would you guys have any suggestion on what I could use?
I actually have 100+ GPUs to protect.

I dont mind if I have to pay a little more to get better protection

Thank you very much!