SPD INSTALLATION IN A CONSUMER UNIT – HOW TO and THE BASICS

We have often been asked about installing SPDs into domestic consumer units.

Whilst there is no legislation making this obligatory at the moment, many customers are considering this as an option to protect the many electronic items in their homes. There is a whole range of smart and interconnected devices available today and more become available with every passing day.

In this video we will show you the basics of SPD installation into a new consumer unit and into an existing board as a retro-fit.
It is not a difficult task, and, if you follow a logical method, it really is very simple.

This video is No.125 on our YouTube channel where we have videos on a wide range of electrical topics.

To see a full list of all our LearnElectrics videos, click on the link below.

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Always work safely, electricity can be dangerous. If you are unsure, stop and seek advice.
This video is provided for guidance only. Every electrical situation is different, please check and ensure that you are applying this learning information to your own individual circumstances correctly and safely. If in doubt, stop and seek competent advice.

[mossmm]

What an excellent and well presented video
A great help for revision as well as to update our knowledge base

Very clear easy to understand and fully explained

Thank you

[JohnJennings-yy]

David I've got it. The brown line at 8:20 from main switch out live only appears to go to SPD 'E' but in practice goes "as you say" from the main switch live out up behind the SPD (not connected) directly to the live in of RCD 1 as narrated. Many thanks for an excellent demonstration.

[StreamFeeds]

Thanks David once again, recently installed a summer house with your previous video. Helped so much. I’m level 2 qualified so just an improver but got my work signed off by BA. Plus another fully qualified spark for your video. It’s really helped so much and you’re the don of the trade mate.

[Almightyrastus]

I will add that it is always best practice to install the SPD on the first outgoing way of the board as this keeps the connecting leads (and internal busbars within the panel) as short as possible. The voltage that is let through by the SPD depends on the design of the SPD itself plus any voltage dropped as a result of inductive loading on the connecting leads, longer leads will mean a higher let through voltage. Also, all leads connected to the SPD should be bound for as much of their shared length as possible in order to mitigate electrical field generation around the lines. Also it is a bit of an oversimplification to call an SPD a !type 1 device" or a "type 2 device", to start with most have combined ratings these days and all SPDs will have all 3 type ratings, they will just be different ratings depending on design and installation point intent.

[anndicker]

Hi very concise. ---Your comment above is now from 2 years ago. these SPD still optionable. --- Also If you connect the N out rom the Main Switch to the Main N bar. Then you will take both the main N functions from the bar, and the wiring will be less cluttered. That is what the N bars are for-- multiple N outputs. Rather that jamming two N wires in to the Main switch N terminal. Tony

[Ahmed-bnz]

Good man!!awesome videos keep the love flowing

[vanhelsing]

A very good presentation... Thanks Sir for sharing this.

[BadraVeeraBadra]

With not Neutral IN of two RCDs from “Main Netral Bar”?
Or connect two RCDs with Neutral from SPD similar to how LINE connects from SPD to RCDs?

[sinasoleimanian]

thank you so much for your explanation in so many videos you explain things so clearly and to the point you have got me out of a lot of trouble when I was stuck and didn't know the subject very well! TOP MAN! Thank you once again!

[callumu]

Thanks for the video. Can I loop out of the supply side of the last DP RCD in my CU with 6mm or 10mm T&E to a 32A MCB then SPD both in separate enclosure. My worry was the cable size would be less than the pre-wired tails in the CU.

[SLimbu-nfor]

Thanks David. What an excellent video in simple word and simple way. It is more clear than courses we attended.
Please produce more video regarding AFDD installation also.
Thank you so much.

[SocratisPapacosta]

excellent explanation on the spd Thank you

[rogerbettaney]

Hi, good video and a great explanation but a 230 volt ac system has a maximum instantaneous voltage to earth or neutral of around 325volts, ie the peak of the 230 volt supply is 1.414 x 230. So the SPD should not trigger until the instantaneous voltage exceeds 325 volts.

[ช่างไฟไทยแลนด์]

What type of SPD should be installed in the main electrical cabinet of a residential home?

[dougvee]

Excellent explanation. I see SPDs and MCBs installed upstream of the switch.

[ThePlantsman]

Thank you very much for posting this illustrative video.

[michaelwaheeb]

Great job dave..
May I inform you about new important topics you can make explanation videos for

- ups using, concept rating sizing
- generators
-capacitor banks
-electrical rooms design
- bus bars
-voltage drop and short circuit
- harmonics
- light calcs

Go ahead and great job man

[JohnJennings-yy]

David excellent Video is there an error at 8:20 "Line inputs. Your graphic shows brown line input from main switch to 'E' of the SPD your narrative says to connect brown from the line of SPD 1 line in to RCD 1 line in and then loop to RCD 2. It does not mention the shown brown line out from the main switch live out to the @e@ terminal of the SPD! Is the graphic correct as shown with live from main switch to 'E' of the SPD?

[nic_the_aged_woodworker]

Thanks for a very informative and useful video

[usmanseljuq]

Thanks David, its really appreciable, I never had such kind of a learning experience before. Awesome videos with great explanation....