#flammability

Tech Tips:

What Techs Need to Know About A2L Refrigerants

This article is based on the recent HVAC School podcast episode on A2L refrigerants with Jason Obrzut. You can listen to that podcast HERE. Jason is a member of the AHRI Safe Refrigerant Transition Task Force and has co-authored Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology (the RACT manual). You can access AHRI’s A2L refrigerant resources at […]

Refrigerants, Flammable & Toxic

There has never been a more complicated and confusing time surrounding refrigerants than what we are in right now. We are seeing flammable HC (hydrocarbon) refrigerants with increasing regularity, and EPA rules that just changed appear to be changing again. With all this tumultuous change, it's important to know what to look for in refrigerants […]

R290 as a Drop In? – Short #234

In this short podcast episode, Bryan answers a listener-submitted question about using R-290 as a drop-in refrigerant for R-22 systems. It is NOT safe to use R-290 as a drop-in, but there are some similar properties between the two and some interesting thought experiments within this topic. R-290 is propane, a hydrocarbon that belongs […]

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In this short podcast episode, Bryan answers a listener-submitted question asking whether you can use another surge protector at the disconnect panel with an ICM 493 already in place.

Using multiple surge protectors in the configuration described does NOT count as daisy-chaining. Surge protectors with MOVs (metal oxide varistors) shunt current from high voltage to ground by reducing their resistance. MOVs are sacrificial, so they wear out over time. Surge protectors don’t last forever, so installing multiple is a fine idea.

You can have whole-home surge protection with additional surge protectors positioned at the appliances/electronics. While it can be done and doesn’t hurt anything, it’s not the most cost-effective solution.

When you install a surge protector, wire it in parallel with the circuit to ground. It should be wired properly with the shortest possible path to ground. In any case, many surge protectors won’t hold up against direct lightning strikes, but they will protect the equipment from power surges after power comes back on or constant overvoltage.

Our company, Kalos Services, now uses DITEK’s Kool Guard 2 as our surge protector and voltage monitor of choice. They also provide warranties for their products, which have come in handy for customers.

Learn more about the DITEK Kool Guard 2 at https://www.diteksurgeprotection.com/product-series/intelligent-voltage-monitoring/.

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