Will You Regret Getting Leviton 51120-1 Panel Protector?

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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

Leviton 51120-1 Panel Protector, 120/240-VoltWhen 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.

Check Out The Latest Price Here

 

Core Features and Benefits

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

8 Total Score
Leviton 51120-1 Panel Protector

This Leviton Surge protection device is a little lacking when it comes to performance and protection features. Despite that, probably because of its slick exterior design, this surge suppressor does come with a high price for what it can offers.

PROS
  • UL Certified under the UL 1449 3rd Edition
  • Maximum Surge Current Capacity of 50kA
  • Short Circuit Current Rating of 10kA
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty
CONS
  • NEMA Enclosure Type 1 [Indoor Use Only]
  • High price point despite lack of features and performance

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.

Check Out The Latest Price Here

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]

Important Product information and Specifications

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.


Marc Edwards
Marc Edwards

Marc Edwards is the co-founder of GagtheSurge and is actively involved in writing review and information articles for the site. He loves traveling and has been to most of the countries across the four major continents. Besides working and traveling, he also enjoys jungle explorations and deep sea diving.

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