Hey Joyful, I'm researching this now and thinking about put an "extra" surge protector either at the intermatic timer which is protected inside the garage, or at the power outlets near the pump. (We already have whole house surge breakers at the first spot in our panel).
The HEPD80 is a Type 1 surge protector which includes built in overcurrent protection so it can be mounted directly to the bus, though it's not wrong to mount is alongside breakers. Point being it is an easy install which can be put just about anywhere. It's also rated for outdoor installation, though I'm still thinking of having it inside a box.
We're likely going to a salt pool, and I'm eventually going to go back to VSP, so I'd like to protect that investment.
What do you think about putting one of these right by the pump, where the 220V switch feeds the pump and salt generator? The other idea is protected in the garage at the intermatic. While nobody fully understands lightning, my rough guess is that if a strike hits near the pool, the surge damages along that trunk until it hits the protector in the whole house panel. So if a protector was right near the pool electronics, it would protect "sooner".
Of course, if lightning makes a direct hit on the pump, it's gone. Even so, in that case the HEPD80 would provide some protection upstream back to the house.
Anyway, that's my understanding. It's $100 more to protect $thousands plus all the time fix it. Any other thoughts or experience is appreciated.
