Siemens FS100 Review

Read time: 3 minutes Last Updated: 12/03/2019

Siemens FS100

$152.09
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8.5/10
  • Equipped with proprietary Ground Reference Monitoring to detect a compromised electrical system
  • Compact size for easy installation
  • Commercial-grade notification system utilizes user-friendly audio and visual alerts
  • 10-year warranty covers unit and connected appliances
  • Customer support is hit or miss
Dimensions:
10 x 6 x 4 inches
Weight:
2.3 lbs
Type:
2
Certifications:
UL, cUL
Maximum Surge Current Capacity (MSCC):
100,000 amps
Enclosure Type:
Type 4, outdoor
Alarm or Indicator Light:
Yes
Warranty:
Yes 10-year
Our Review

When the Siemens FS100 first hit the surge protector market, long-time whole home surge protector users were able to breath the fresh air of innovation for the first time in a while. That’s because this model is the trademark iteration of Siemens FirstSurge line of products, each of which are engineered to bring this critical field of in-home utility preservation into the 21st century. Accordingly, you can count on this model to alert you as soon as it is triggered, both through a series of audible alarms and through a series of color-coded indicators on the unit’s body.

Along the same lines, the Siemens FS100 fully utilizes a special feature unseen in previous Siemens’ surge protectors. That special feature – Ground Reference Monitoring – provides users with an easy-to-interpret warning when the device believes that your electrical system has been compromised. It’s actually fairly impressive that Siemens managed to fit such a productive module into the FS100, given its overall compact form factor and use of a durable Type 4 outdoor enclosure.

In terms of value, the Siemens FS100 tops the list. That’s because homeowners receive the market’s very best warranty in addition to moderate price tag under $200. Not only does Siemens’ 10-year coverage period on this unit cover its own replacement, but also allows users to replace their damaged electronics in the case of a catastrophic unit failure.

Read more about our how our ratings broke down for the FS100 below or checkout how it compares to other whole surge protectors.

Key Specification Ratings

Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV) – 8/10

Why Did It Earn this Score? – This model’s differentiated MCOVs are actually dependent on the user’s chosen mode of protection. As a result, it offers two tiers of MCOV functionality: 150 volts (when the unit is set to L-N, L-G, or N-G modes) and 300 volts (when the unit is set to L-L) mode. For a surge protector of this size and price, these two levels of protection certainly exceed the standard seen throughout the rest of the surge protector market.

Voltage Protective Rating (VPR) – 8.5/10

Why Did It Earn this Score? – Much like its MCOV ratings, this model’s VPR actually changes depending on which mode of protection is engaged. L-N, L-G, and N-G modes all allow for up to 600 volts of protection, while the high-end L-L mode provides a full 900 volts of protection. By providing two different VPRs, this model goes beyond expectations and raises the bar for other units in its class.

Mode of Protection – 9/10

Why Did It Earn this Score? – Simply put, few (if any) other consumer-grade surge protectors under $200 provides all four of the major modes of protection. Though the majority of users of this unit leave it in L-N mode, those with more experience installing and managing a whole home surge protector will also be able to operate this model in L-G, N-G, or L-L modes.

The Final Verdict

At the end of the day, the Siemens FS100 is a must-have for folks who are serious about protecting their entire home against electrical surges. This model’s core specifications far exceed any comparable models, both from Siemens and from other brands, while its special features go the extra mile when it comes to preserving the safety of your home’s essential appliances. Simply put, folks who want to take the guess work out of installing a whole home surge protector for the first time are not going to beat this model’s overall quality and value.