Should I buy a whole house surge protection device like: Siemens QSA2020SPD, Intermatic 1G1240RC3, or Schneider Electric - Square D, or if I buy a good inverter will it be an integral part of the inverter?
Bob,
There are others on the market too :
These are GE Products and you can see them at
ElectricalDeals.com - Electrical Supplies, Equipment, Lighting, Devices and Controls
You would need the THQLSURGE which could be placed in your main panel in the Kitchen.
And I recomment this one too:
GCPD1300 Surge Protector, Hard-wired, Whole house protection, Mounts outside ANY BRAND load center., Volts: 120/240, Protects: 30ka, Warranty: $50k, Phases: 1, Wires: 3, Ge Circ Protect THSASURGE60, $118.95 each
Corbraboy,
The THQLSURGE does not require grounding as it is between line and neutral . The neutral is grounded at the transformer and pole but if you are some distance from that then it is "useful " to have a ground nearby your house principally for lightning surge protection.
Back to you Bob ,
I have had this fitted : THSASURGE60 - which does require a ground and also two 20 amp breakers .
We have three stages of surge/spike protection :THSASURGE60 at the transfer panel to protect bost incomming and Generator, At the invertor which is 5.5 kW 220 Volt fitted with about 900 joules surge protection, and in the main panel :THQLSURGE for the remainer of the house.
On individual appliances such as computers there is also a UPS - Omega 650 in most cases which also has surge protection.
On Fridges/Freezers we use a over voltage, surge protection devive by Tonal which cuts off the supply at over or under voltage.
We still get failures and recently I measured 137 volts on the nominal 120 which was 274 across the 220 V - the invertor had cut in on over voltage and saved the day.
This is a very big topic and the electrical conditions here in DR are severe.
Bob I hope that helps.
Olly