Type 1 Surge Protector vs Type 1+2: Key Differences
At the service entrance, specifiers face a choice between a dedicated Type 1 surge protector and a combined Type 1+2 unit, and the decision affects both protection quality and panel cost. This comparison sets out five differences that determine which is appropriate. It contrasts protection scope, where a Type 1 device handles partial lightning current while a combined unit also addresses switching surges, and explains the test classes behind each, from Iimp on the 10/350 microsecond waveform to the combined ratings of a Type 1+2 product. Further sections compare voltage protection level and what actually reaches downstream equipment, panel space, wiring and coordination requirements, and the total cost of two separate devices against one combined unit, with a summary table and decision scenarios.
