Published By: Marc Edwards | Last updated on June 2, 2024 and reviewed by Editorial Team
Founded in 1906, Leviton has been a manufacturer of electrical wiring equipment in the United States for a long long time. And since Leviton is so well-known in the electrical wiring industry, it makes perfect sense for me to do a Leviton 51120-1 panel protector review as per request by some of our site visitors.
Will Leviton 51120-1 triumph over the other Type 2 surge suppressors (Square D HEPD80 | Eaton CHSPT2ULTRA | Siemens FS140) we have reviewed so far?
Guess you will find out soon. 🙂
Leviton 51120-1 Panel Protector
When it comes to protecting our home against both external power surges like lightning bolts, utility grid maintenance, etc, and internal power voltages like transient surges from household electrical appliances, it is imperative that you have a fully functional surge protector for the entire household.
Such Type 2 devices must be effective and capable of blocking these damaging currents and voltages as much as possible.
Without much ado, let’s begin by going through some of the core features and benefits of Leviton 51120-1 and see how it stacks up against the competitors we listed above.
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UL Certified under the UL 1449 3rd Edition
Leviton is definitely in the same league as its competitors when it comes to getting UL-certified and is also listed as a Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor (TVSS).
Modes of Protection
Unfortunately when it comes to modes of protection, the same cannot be said about Leviton 51120-1 panel protector.
Its protection mode is only supported for L-N / L-L. Leaving behind the more important ones which are Neutral to Ground or Line to Ground. The lack of this critical feature raised my eyebrows.
Real-Time Visual Indicator
Another common feature where there is a real-time visual indicator to show power and suppression status from a single glance.
Maximum Surge Current Capacity
Although the competitor’s MSCC is higher than Leviton’s 50kA MSCC, this should not matter. This is because it is still very well within the IEEE’s recommended capacity ranges.
Short Circuit Current Rating
Although it is not necessary for short circuit current ratings to match surge current ratings, Leviton does come with 10kA. Which is again lower than most of its competitors.
NEMA Enclosure Type
It did come as a surprise when I first noticed that Leviton comes with enclosure type 1. Which means it is plainly for indoor usage. As you may already know, the higher the enclosure type, the more effective it is at blocking unwanted stuff like water, dirt, etc.
Product Warranty
Just like its peers in the industry, Leviton offers a limited lifetime warranty for its 51120-1 Panel Protector. Remember to always read the fine print of product warranties. Just like many feedbacks from existing buyers, the warranty is usually written in the best interest of the manufacturer.
Our Review and Rating of Leviton 51120-1 Panel Protector
Who Should Buy It?
This Leviton panel protector may be what you need if you are planning to install a surge protector outside your main breaker panel. And if the price is not an issue for you, this panel protector from Leviton will bring about a slick look to your home.
Who Shouldn’t Buy It?
If you are looking for a feature-packed whole house surge protection device with excellent surge ratings and all-rounded modes of protection, then you may want to give this a miss.
Is the Price Reasonable?
The price is obviously on the high side given the fact that Leviton 51120-1 has not that much to offer in terms of features and performance. Unless you are a hardcore fan of Leviton, most people is unlikely to get it at this price point.
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Existing Buyers Review of Leviton 51120-1 Panel Protector
One buyer went through the warranty claim procedure successfully. Although it took quite a long time, the buyer did get the settlement claim from Leviton in the end. Although the amount was severely reduced, the buyer was happy that the warranty claim was being honored.
Check out The Review of this Leviton Surge Protector in Amazon
Minor Flaws – What to Expect
Though not a flaw, I do wish that the surge ratings could have been higher, especially for both MSCC [Maximum Surge Current Capacity] and SCCR [Short Circuit Current Rating]. Another lacking feature is the modes of protection. I hope, going forward, Leviton will consider adding protection mode for both Neutral to Ground[N-G] and Line to Ground [L-G]
Part Number: 51120-1
Item Weight: 4.2 pounds
Package Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.2 x 5 inches
Item model number: 51120-1
Item Package Quantity: 1
Certification: certified frustration-free
Batteries Included?: No
Batteries Required?: No
Warranty Description: 10 Year Limited
What Else to Know?
Do also bear in mind that this type 2 SPD does not provide the wires (four of them – 2 x Black, 1 x white, and 1 x green) that are needed to connect to the breaker panel.
Be sure to get a certified electrician to do the installation if you have little to no electrical skills and knowledge. A certified electrician will know how to properly the surge protector in the best possible manner by the setup of your main panel.
Bottom Line – Should You Get it?
Based on the reviews from Amazon, it is a good product to be had but as I mentioned before, if you require better features and surge ratings than what is being offered by Leviton, you are better off getting a more robust surge protection device, most possibly at a lower price.
