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Siemens Boltshield FSPD140 Level 2 Whole House Surge Protection Device Rated for 140,000 Amps, 120/240V

Siemens Boltshield FSPD140 Whole-House SPD for EV Charger Protection

9.3
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The Siemens Boltshield FSPD140 is a trusted Type 2 surge protection device, ideal for protecting 240V residential EV charger installations from surges and voltage spikes.

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The Siemens Boltshield FSPD140 Whole-House surge protection device (SPD) is one of the most trusted 4-wire (L1, L2, Neutral, and Ground) Type 2 SPDs on the market, particularly well-suited for protecting residential 240V EV charger installations. Whether you’re installing a 120V Level 1 EV charger or a 240V Level 2 EV charger, the 120/240V Siemens Boltshield FSPD140 SPD provides comprehensive defense against damaging voltage spikes from grid events, lightning, or internal electrical surges.

While many EV charging forums and threads still recommend the older Siemens FS140, it’s important to note that these are outdated posts. The Siemens Boltshield FSPD140 is a newer model replacing the FS140, featuring an updated design and continued whole-house protection for modern EV charging installations.

Its 140,000-amp surge current capacity per phase, commercial-grade NEMA 4X enclosure, and wide compatibility with any load center or breaker brand make it an ideal whole-home surge protection solution with added value for EV owners.

We recommend the Siemens BoltShield FSPD140 Whole-House SPD as one of the best surge protection devices, not only for single EV charger setups, but also for advanced installations involving multiple EV chargers on a shared panel, as commonly found in commercial, workplace, or fleet charging environments. In these scenarios, the FSPD140 protects all EV charger circuits within the panel, delivering consistent defense against power surges and voltage transients.

We also recommend the Siemens BoltShield FSPD140 for EV charger installations that include multiple EV charging accessories, such as solar-integrated EV charging systems with smart meters, load controllers, and monitoring devices. Whether these components are wired into a dedicated subpanel or the main service panel, the FSPD140 provides comprehensive, panel-wide surge protection. This makes it a cost-effective alternative to installing individual surge protectors for each electrical device, streamlining protection without compromising safety.

Key Specifications

  • Type: Type 2 SPD (external parallel connection)
  • Surge Current Capacity: 140,000 Amps per phase
  • Amperage Rating: 140 Amps
  • Voltage Rating: 240V
  • Frequency: 50/60 Hz (±3 Hz)
  • Enclosure: NEMA 4X (outdoor-rated; suitable for indoor use)
  • Protection Components: Thermally protected MOVs
  • Mounting: External wall or load center-mounted
  • Visual Indicators: Red service flag + audible alarm for failure notification
  • Warranty: 10-year, 100K warranty
  • Compatibility: Universal – works with any load center or breaker brand

Siemens Boltshield FSPD140 Whole House SPD Installation for EV Chargers

4-Wire EV Charger Installations (NEMA 14-50)

For plug-in EV chargers using a 4-wire configuration – L1 (red), L2 (black), neutral (white), and ground (green) – the Siemens Boltshield FSPD140 is installed in parallel to the main breaker, connected to L1, L2, neutral, and ground terminals. This ensures protection across all conductors in the dedicated EV charger branch circuit.Siemens BoltShield FSPD140 Whole-House Surge Protection Wiring Diagram for 4-Wire EV Charger Installations This is a technical wiring diagram illustrating the installation of a Siemens BoltShield FSPD140 whole-house surge protection device (SPD) alongside a dedicated circuit for a 4-wire EV charger. The setup is shown in a US-NEC compliant, split-phase 120V/240V main residential electrical panel. The diagram outlines the following components and connections: Power Input: Power from the utility enters the main panel via two hot lines (L1, L2) connecting to the main breaker's active lugs, and a neutral line (N) connecting to the neutral busbar. A prominent warning triangle states, "Risk of Electric Shock: Active lugs are continuously live, regardless of whether the main breaker is ON or OFF." Main Electrical Panel: The diagram shows a main service panel with a main breaker, a neutral busbar, and a ground busbar (G). An "Electrical Bonding" jumper connects the neutral and ground busbars, which is standard for a main panel. Surge Protection Device (SPD) Installation: The specific model, a Siemens BoltShield FSPD140, is used as a Type 2 SPD to protect the entire panel. It is connected to its own double-pole "SPD Breaker," positioned near the main breaker for best performance. The SPD's L1, L2, Neutral, and Ground wires are shown connected to the SPD breaker and their respective busbars. EV Charger Circuit: A "Dedicated 50A Double-Pole Breaker" provides power for the EV charger circuit. A four-wire branch circuit (L1-red, L2-black, Neutral-white, and Ground-green) runs from this dedicated breaker and the busbars, through a conduit/raceway. Connection to EV Charger: The four-wire circuit is shown connecting directly to a generic EV charger, represented by an icon of a charging handle with a lightning bolt, indicating a 4-wire hardwired or plug-in installation. Grounding System: The panel's ground busbar is properly connected to the earth via an earth conductor and a ground rod. Key informational callouts on the diagram include: A warning to keep wiring organized and to avoid crossing wires over breakers. A "Voltage Drop" note, advising to upsize wires on long runs to maintain a voltage drop of less than 3% per NEC. A detailed description of the Siemens BoltShield FSPD140, noting it is rated for 120/240V AC and that its leads should be kept short (ideally under 18 inches) and straight for optimal performance.

This setup is typical for chargers like the Grizzl-E, Lectron, or Tesla Mobile Connector with NEMA 14-50 plugs.

3-Wire EV Charger Installations (Hardwired)

In hardwired EV charger installations that use a 3-wire branch circuit (L1, L2, and ground only), the Siemens Boltshield FSPD140 SPD still provides full surge protection. The device connects to both hot conductors (L1 and L2) and ground, enabling it to suppress both line-to-line and line-to-ground voltage surges, effectively covering all conductive paths supplying the EV charger.Siemens BoltShield FSPD140 Whole-House Surge Protection Wiring Diagram for 3-Wire EV Charger Installations This is a technical wiring diagram illustrating the installation of a Siemens BoltShield FSPD140 whole-house surge protection device (SPD) alongside a dedicated circuit for a 3-wire (240V) EV charger. The setup is shown in a US-NEC compliant, split-phase 120V/240V main residential electrical panel. The diagram outlines the following components and connections: Power Input: Power from the utility enters the main panel via two hot lines (L1, L2) connecting to the main breaker's active lugs, and a neutral line (N) connecting to the neutral busbar. A prominent warning triangle states, "Risk of Electric Shock: Active lugs are continuously live, regardless of whether the main breaker is ON or OFF." Main Electrical Panel: The diagram shows a main service panel with a main breaker, a neutral busbar, and a ground busbar (G). An "Electrical Bonding" jumper connects the neutral and ground busbars, which is standard for a main panel. Surge Protection Device (SPD) Installation: The specific model, a Siemens BoltShield FSPD140, is used as a Type 2 SPD to protect the entire panel. It is connected to its own double-pole "SPD Breaker," positioned near the main breaker for best performance. The SPD's four wires (L1, L2, Neutral, and Ground) are shown connected to the SPD breaker and their respective busbars. 3-Wire EV Charger Circuit: A "Dedicated EV Charger Circuit Breaker" (double-pole) provides power for the EV charger. A three-wire branch circuit, consisting of L1 (red), L2 (black), and Ground (green), runs from this dedicated breaker and the ground busbar through a conduit. This circuit does not use a neutral wire, as it is a pure 240V connection. Connection to EV Charger: The three-wire circuit is shown connecting directly to a generic EV charger, represented by an icon of a charging handle with a lightning bolt. Grounding System: The panel's ground busbar is properly connected to the earth via an earth conductor and a ground rod. Key informational callouts on the diagram include: A warning to keep wiring organized and to avoid crossing wires over breakers. A "Voltage Drop" note, advising to upsize wires on long runs to maintain a voltage drop of less than 3% per NEC. A detailed description of the Siemens BoltShield FSPD140, noting it is rated for 120/240V AC and that its leads should be kept short (ideally under 18 inches) and straight for optimal performance.

Although the 3-wire branch circuit EV charger circuit itself does not include a neutral wire, the Siemens Boltshield FSPD140 neutral conductor is still terminated at the panel’s neutral busbar, as required for proper SPD operation. This ensures that the unit functions as intended, even when protecting dedicated circuits that omit the neutral conductor, such as most hardwired Level 2 EV chargers.

Chargers like the Tesla Wall Connector, Tesla Universal Wall Connector, ChargePoint Home Flex, Wallbox Pulsar Plus, or Emporia EV Charger typically use this 3-wire configuration.

Installation Location

The Siemens Boltshield FSPD140 should be installed as close as possible to the main panel breaker, ideally within 18 inches of its breaker, to minimize lead length and improve clamping response. It mounts externally next to the panel, or, where space permits, can be installed inside the load center itself.

This positioning ensures comprehensive protection across all downstream circuits, including EV chargers, HVAC, appliances, and sensitive electronics throughout the home.

The NEMA 4X-rated enclosure also guarantees durability for garage- or outdoor-mounted EV chargers, with resistance to rain, humidity, and dust.

Real-World Benefits for EV Owners

  • Whole-Home Surge Protection: Shields not just your EV charger, but every circuit in the house from damaging voltage transients.
  • EVSE & Vehicle Protection: Helps prevent surge-related failure of your EV charger and potentially the vehicle’s onboard charging electronics.
  • Flexible Wiring Support: Compatible with both 3-wire and 4-wire EV charging setups.
  • Maintenance-Free Design: Includes audible and visual fault indicators for easy status checks; no ongoing maintenance required.
  • Premium Warranty: A 10-year warranty plus connected equipment coverage offers peace of mind for homeowners.

Recommended Posts

9.3Expert Score
If you're installing a Level 2 EV charger, whether plug-in or hardwired, the Siemens Boltshield FSPD140 Whole-House SPD is a top-tier surge protection choice. With its 140kA capacity, outdoor-rated enclosure, and universal compatibility, it’s built to safeguard your EV investment and your entire home. For EV owners seeking professional-grade electrical protection in a residential-friendly form, the Siemens Boltshield FSPD140 SPD is a smart, cost-effective, future-proof solution for your EV charger installation protection.
Features
9
Real World Usage
9.5
Materials
9.5
Durability
9.5
Craftsmanship
9
Design
9
Monetary Value
9
Product Value
9
Brand Reputation
9.5
Expert Valuation
9.5
PROS
  • Protects whole home and 120V Level 1/ 240V Level 2 EV charger
  • High 140kA surge current capacity
  • NEMA 4X rated for outdoor use
  • Visual and audible failure alerts
  • Easy to install on any panel brand
CONS
  • Not plug-in; requires hardwiring

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