HVAC Surge Protector- 101

Just recently I have had HVAC/AC issues where a lightning storm caused my circuit board to stop working.  Fortunately, I had a warranty on all parts for my unit! Unfortunately, Samsung does not allow the home owner to work on their own unit and a "Licence Professional" has to call in to order the parts. Well this just makes me upset that I am not able to fix it myself and I have to pay someone to do the exact thing that I could do!

Alright alright I'll get off my soapbox now and get back to the topic at hand. Installing an AC surge protector. Most people are familiar with the simple surge protector that is used on electronics inside of your home. However, not many people realize that your AC unit has just as many electrical components in it as your computer or TV (including myself until recently). Unfortunately, the AC surge protectors are not as simple to install as unplugging your electronic and plugging into your electrical strip. But anyone with a little guidance can install one of these AC surge units without having to pay for expensive electricians.

** Note: I am not a license professional electrician. I am a normal guy who understands basic electrical issues and has learned the hard way that if you don't know what you are doing with electricity either ask or pay someone who does. Please proceed with at your own risk! **

Step 1: Knowing your Electrical Panel

The first step in installing your AC surge protector is knowing what to buy. This can be easily solved by going and looking at your electrical breaker box. Different breaker box brands have different parts and for the most part they are not inner changeable. I happened to be working in my garage which has a sub panel in it. My sub panel is a GE breaker box. Other common breaker boxes would be Square D, Eaton, or Cutler Hammer.

Once I knew what brand I had I went to the local big box store (Home Depot) and purchased a GE AC SurgePro. The surge protector I ended up buying is designed not only to protect the AC unit but also the whole breaker panel. Which in my mine the more protected the less I will have to fix the next electrical storm we get!

    

Step 2: Installing

A little background on me; I hate reading instructions! I am that guy that refuses to read the instructions because I want to figure it out. Except with electrical stuff. I will read electrical instructions. Even though this is a simple install I still suggest you read the instructions!

Different surge protectors will have different locations for mounting. This type of protector is actually mounted directly into the breaker box next to the AC breaker. The other types could be mounted either next to the disconnect on the outside unit or even as an attachment to your breaker box.

I started this install by killing the main breaker to my box. Safety first!

             

I then removed the panel's face to expose the breakers and bus bars. Double checking that there isn't any power going to the unit I used a Voltage Tester as well as an Ohms meter.

The install then was just snapping the SurgePro into an empty slot in the box and connecting the white neutral wire to the neutral bus.

Before I put the panel face back on the box I turned the power back on and checked to make sure the green light on the surge protector came on. This light lets you know if the power surged and the unit activated. These protectors are a one time use device so if the light is not lit up it is time to replace the unit.

Final Product!