Siemens FS100 Whole House Surge Protection Device Instruction Manual

1. Introduction

This manual provides essential information for the safe and effective installation, operation, and maintenance of your Siemens FS100 Whole House Surge Protection Device. The FS100 is designed to protect your home's electrical system and sensitive electronic appliances from damaging power surges.

2. Why Whole House Surge Protection?

Modern homes are equipped with numerous smart appliances and sensitive electronics that are vulnerable to electrical disturbances, including power surges. Unlike basic surge strips that protect only individual devices, a whole house surge protector like the Siemens FS100 is installed at the point of entry to your electrical system, providing comprehensive protection for all connected electronic components and appliances throughout your home, including those not plugged into surge strips such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washers, and dryers.

3. Product Overview: Siemens FS100

The Siemens FS100 is a Type 2, UL/cUL 1449 listed Surge Protective Device (SPD) rated for 100,000 Amps. It offers advanced protection and notification features.

Key Features:

• Commercial-Grade Notification: Features a 3-stage notification system to alert homeowners when the protector is worn out or if a grounding issue exists.
• Universal Compatibility: Compatible with any brand of load center and breakers.
• Flexible Installation: Enclosure rated for Type 4 outdoor use, and can also be installed inside the load center.
• Robust Protection: Rated for 100,000 Amps surge capacity.

FirstSurge Models by Capacity:

• Power: 60,000 amps (suitable for areas with low surge exposure)
• Plus (FS100): 100,000 amps (suitable for areas with medium surge exposure and smart technology homes)
• Pro: 140,000 amps (suitable for areas with high surge exposure, such as Florida and the Gulf Coast)

Image: Front view of the Siemens FS100 Whole House Surge Protection Device, showing the indicator lights and branding.

4. Setup and Installation

Professional installation by a licensed electrician is strongly recommended. Working with electrical panels can be hazardous. If you are not experienced and comfortable working with line power equipment, consult a qualified professional. For warranty claims, a receipt from a licensed electrician may be required.

Installation Steps (General Overview):

1. Mounting: The FS100 can be mounted indoors or outdoors. It is typically installed next to the main electrical panel (load center).
2. Wiring: The device connects using four wires: two for line phases, one for neutral, and one for ground. Ensure all connections are secure and comply with local electrical codes. The shorter the wire path from the main to the surge unit, the better for optimal response time.
3. Breaker Connection: The line wires connect to a dedicated 2-pole breaker within the load center. Ensure the breaker is OFF during installation.
4. Weatherproofing: If installed outdoors, ensure all connections, especially conduit inlets, are properly sealed and weatherproofed.
5. Power On: After installation, turn on the main power and then the dedicated breaker for the surge protector. Verify the status indicators.

Image: Side view of the Siemens FS100, illustrating the conduit connection and wiring extending from the unit.

Image: A different perspective of the Siemens FS100, highlighting the wiring and mounting tabs.

Image: Back view of the Siemens FS100, showing the mounting points and the sealed enclosure.

5. Operating and Status Indicators

The Siemens FS100 features a 3-stage notification process to inform you about its operational status and protection level.

Notification Process:

• Normal Operation: When the device is providing full protection, the green LED(s) will be lit.
• Protection Compromised/Worn Out: If the surge protector has absorbed significant surges and is worn out, the following will occur:
  • An audible alarm will beep.
  • The red service light will flash.
  • One or both of the green LED(s) will extinguish.
• Ground Reference Monitoring: The FirstSurge is also equipped with ground referenced monitoring. If a rare safety hazard exists due to a compromised electrical system neutral-to-ground bond, the following will occur:
  • An audible alarm will beep.
  • The red service light will flash.
  • The green LED(s) will remain lit.

6. Maintenance

The Siemens FS100 is designed for minimal maintenance. The primary maintenance task involves monitoring the status indicators.

• Regular Checks: Periodically check the green LED indicators on the device. If an audible alarm sounds, the red service light flashes, or any green LED extinguishes, the device requires attention.
• Replacement: If the device indicates that protection is compromised (alarm, flashing red light, extinguished green LED), the worn-out protector must be replaced to restore full surge protection. Contact a licensed electrician for replacement.

7. Troubleshooting

The FS100's notification system is designed to simplify troubleshooting.

8. Specifications

9. Warranty and Support

The Siemens FS100 Whole House Surge Protection Device comes with a 10-year product and connected equipment warranty. For warranty claims or technical support, please refer to the contact information provided with your product packaging or visit the official Siemens website for electrical products.