Key Specification Ratings
Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV) – 6.5/10
Why Did It Earn this Score? – Generally speaking, this model’s 500-volt MCOV is good enough to meet the needs of most homeowners. However, folks looking to fully optimize their full home surge protection systems may find that this unit barely makes it over the 15% excess threshold recommended by most experts. Altogether, though, this surge protector is not prone to catching fire, even when operating for a lengthy period of time at this MCOV rating.
Voltage Protective Rating (VPR) – 8/10
Why Did It Earn this Score? – Smaller surge protection units tend to suffer from lower VPRs. Not so with the Siemens QSA2020SPD, which provides up to 1,000 volts of protection when it is properly installed and fully engaged. As a result, you’ll likely be able to count on this model to fully protect several critical in-home appliances from frying in the wake of a serious power surge.
Mode of Protection – N/A
Why Did It Earn this Score? – This surge protector is unique because it does not rely on specific modes of protection. Instead, this model directly interacts with your existing circuit breaker and provides two spare breakers to act as protection for your permanent system. While this may not be useful for all homeowners, those looking for a reliable (and affordable) method of protecting their essential in-home electronics should be able to use this model without much trouble.
The Final Verdict
Taken together, the Siemens QSA2020SPD is a worthwhile purchase. While it may not excel in every specification, its sub-$100 price tag is undoubtedly enticing to the budget-conscious DIYer in all of us. Also, this model’s lack of user-friendly alarms or lighted notifications is compensated by the ease with which new fuses can be installed after an in-home power surge. In short, if you’re working on a budget and are willing to put in a little extra work to manage your in-home surge protection, then this model is for you.