Installing a 'whole house' surge protector.

[Apparatus]

Hi TS, did your issue on DB tripped resolve with this SPD?

Nope. After the SPD installation when very strong lightning strikes nearby my RCCB also tripped. Same as previous before the installation of the SPD.

I guess. Every HDB block has 3 separate electrical systems.

1) One is the power supply to your unit.
2) One is the HDB block lightning protection system and
3) the other is the earthing system for the electrical/electronic items in your household.

2) and 3) are not connected

My explanation

Every HDB block is earthed to protect against lightning strikes and each unit is NOT connected to the lightning protection system of each HDB block. So when lightning strikes adjacent HDB block it must travel into the ground and spread to other adjacent HDB blocks. Since the lightning protection system is NOT connected to your unit then the only possibility is that the current must have travel upwards into my HDB block via the earthing system where the electrical/electronic items are connected to i.e. at the DB box. Then the RCCB tripped.

Sometimes trip affects half side of the HDB block. Sometimes it affects only certain units of the HDB. It also affects the corridor lightings as well (maybe it has a separate earthing system of its own)

Like I mentioned, current always take the path of least resistance. So my unit likely has low resistance causing it to trip during a strong lightning strike nearby.

Since SPD works on voltage so it'll not work here. RCCB trip because of current

 

[The_King]

Have you read through the whole page? Only 1 page lah

If you stay in landed you can have Type 1 protection. If you stay in high-rise then only can have Type 2 and Type 3 protection. In the case of HDB the Type 1 is handled by HDB for its lightning protection

thanks for the reply, me stay hdb


let me sum:

type 2 Surge Protector Device that hager spm 240E, best is to get the 65KA but no stock so you get the 40ka .
in short it protect from surges, Limits voltage spikes

i guessing RCCB (for flat after 2023 they should have this by default as in bto) the ABB F202 AC (the red line on your DB )

HSB only allow type 2 and type 3 (is ups, Line Conditioners etc....)

question is:
what is hager MT 232A B32? as in another power line to socket, also install by default by hdb?

2nd question:
type 2 Surge Protector Device + HDB Circuit breakers and fuses, i am all covered by amp and voltage?



the reason me thinking of type 2, is cause i dont like ups, as i view battery as a fire risk (i know it super low, and my workplace got 10 ups, use over 10 yr and every 5yr replace battery) but still prefer not to have battery

 

[Apparatus]

thanks for the reply, me stay hdb


let me sum:

type 2 Surge Protector Device that hager spm 240E, best is to get the 65KA but no stock so you get the 40ka .
in short it protect from surges, Limits voltage spikes

i guessing RCCB (for flat after 2023 they should have this by default as in bto) the ABB F202 AC (the red line on your DB )

HSB only allow type 2 and type 3 (is ups, Line Conditioners etc....)

question is:
what is hager MT 232A B32? as in another power line to socket, also install by default by hdb?

2nd question:
type 2 Surge Protector Device + HDB Circuit breakers and fuses, i am all covered by amp and voltage?



the reason me thinking of type 2, is cause i dont like ups, as i view battery as a fire risk (i know it super low, and my workplace got 10 ups, use over 10 yr and every 5yr replace battery) but still prefer not to have battery

The hager MT 232A B32 comes with the DB box. It's an On/Off switch. Off it and there'll no power supply into your house. This is control by the owner of the unit. There's also another On/Off switch in the utility box along the corridor by HDB to On/Off power supply into your unit. So during electrical works in your unit you can see the electrician will shut off BOTH for double protection lah.

Your quote

Type 2 Surge Protector Device + HDB Circuit breakers and fuses, i am all covered by amp and voltage

Unquote

They are for whole house protection. But strong lightning strikes can trip your unit just like mine...........it all depends.

However, with Type 3 protection, your expensive 8K TV, 100K audio system, 15K PC, servers etc will be better surge protected and with backup battery for short time data backup.

Type 3 surge protectors, also known as point-of-use surge protectors, provide localized protection against low-energy surges, such as those caused by lightning. They are typically installed at individual outlets or directly into devices to safeguard sensitive electronics from surges that may bypass higher-level protection.

Type 3 Surge Protection vs. Type 1 and Type 2 Protectors​

Aspect	Type 1 Surge Protectors	Type 2 Surge Protectors	Type 3 Surge Protectors
Installation Location	Installed at the service entrance (main power supply)	Installed at the electrical panel or distribution board	Installed at the point of use (e.g., directly on devices or appliances)
Protection Level	Protects against direct lightning strikes and high-energy surges	Protects against residual surges after Type 1 protection	Protects sensitive devices from small residual surges that may remain after Type 1 and Type 2 protection
Surge Handling Capacity	Can handle large surges up to 50kA	Can handle moderate surges up to 20kA	Handles smaller surges (typically up to 6kV, 3000A)
Primary Function	Diverts direct lightning surges and large electrical spikes	Mitigates surges coming through the electrical system	Provides final protection for sensitive electronics by absorbing remaining surge energy
Common Applications	High-risk areas exposed to lightning (e.g., building entrances, rooftops)	Installed in residential and commercial electrical panels	Installed on sensitive electronics (e.g., computers, TVs, medical equipment)
Response to Surges	Redirects high-energy surges immediately, preventing them from entering the building	Absorbs and redirects residual surge energy after Type 1 protection	Absorbs and diverts any remaining surge energy that passes through Type 1 and Type 2 protectors
Cost	Generally higher due to the high surge capacity and installation requirements	Moderate cost, as it offers protection at the panel level	Lower cost, typically installed on individual devices or power strips
Maintenance	Minimal maintenance after installation	Periodic checks to ensure functionality	Regular inspection to ensure protection components are not damaged after multiple surges
Example Devices Protected	Large equipment, main power supply lines	Entire electrical systems in buildings, circuits	Consumer electronics, office equipment, and medical devices

https://www.britecelectric.com/blog/what-is-a-type-3-surge-protector/

As a HDB user you see for Type 1 surge protector one cannot do anything. This is done by HDB. I believe it's in the electrical room at the void deck

 

[The_King]

The hager MT 232A B32 comes with the DB box. It's an On/Off switch. Off it and there'll no power supply into your house. This is control by the owner of the unit. There's also another On/Off switch in the utility box along the corridor by HDB to On/Off power supply into your unit.

if i want to get type 2, 40ka or 65ka?

 

[Apparatus]

if i want to get type 2, 40ka or 65ka?

The higher the KA the better the protection but the higher the "Let-through" voltage as well. Examples for HAGER

20KA SPD with "Let-through" voltage of about 1.3KV
40KA SPD with "Let-through" voltage of about 1.5KV
65KA SPD with "Let-through" voltage of about 1.8KV

so the downstream devices must be able to withstand the "Let-through" voltage otherwise they'll be damaged. The way out is to use Type 3 point-of-use surge protector strip/wall socket before the devices. This will further suppress the "Let-through" voltage very much down further, thus giving the protection needed. The higher the surge energy for the surge protector strip/wall socket the better.

Electrician will tell you 20KA is sufficient. Higher KA implies it can stand more surges and last longer

 

[donut88]

Ok found this list of most reliable electrical services. I'm in the process of callng each to find who can

1) replace my 30yrs+ old circuit breaker box
2) add a whole-house surge protector
3) meggering at the Circuit Breaker

https://www.thebestsingapore.com/living/10-reliable-electrical-services-in-singapore/
I have spoken to a few electricians previously and talked to them about my house Circuit Breaker trip if subject to heavy thunderstorm and lightning...........I mean really strong thunder and lightning like a bomb explosion type near to my block. And all of them told me it's my house electrical wiring too old need to be replaced. I wonder whether changing of electrical wiring would give them more profits besides simply changing a Circuit Breaker box and adding a whole-house surge protector?

What the electricians telling you is that since you already thinking of changing your ** or adding surge protector, it's a smart to also change your old wiring.

U already know it's 30+ years. If you don't change now, when will you change ? At 50 years? If you have some electrical knowledge, u will know wiring have to change at certain point of time.

 

[Apparatus]

What the electricians telling you is that since you already thinking of changing your ** or adding surge protector, it's a smart to also change your old wiring.

U already know it's 30+ years. If you don't change now, when will you change ? At 50 years? If you have some electrical knowledge, u will know wiring have to change at certain point of time.

You can megger at the circuit breaker and at every socket point. If the readings are still ok just use them lah

 

[petetherock]

The cost savings of recycling such old materials is not worth the money
If this is a two year temporary solution then maybe…
Otherwise rewiring is the smart move