The topic is simple. Unfortunately some use English as a
replacement for numbers or scientific reasoning. Therefore some have
no idea what the many electrical problems are. They 'assume' a
protector will solve all electrical problems. But again, this is
really simple stuff made complicated only because some make
recommendations without basic electrical knowledge.

You have described an overvoltage. How much (because numbers are
essential)? For example, 120 volts may increase to maybe 160 volts
and decrease to 100 volts in other locations. Therefore some light
bulbs fail faster. Some less robust appliances are damaged. This is
not a surge AND is not solved by a surge protector. For example, go
to any store to read the box. Notice the term let-through voltage:
330 volts. IOW they remain mostly inert - do nothing - until 120
volts increase above 300 volts. Simple numbers necessary to reply.

Obviously from numbers - no surge protector will solve an open
neutral problem; does not even claim to. You are asking a technical
question that cannot be solved by 'word association' logic.

A broken neutral is one reason why building earthing must exist.
Why all incoming utilities must connect to the same earthing
electrode. A broken neutral is a human safety problem where building
earth ground minimizes the problem and human threats.

'Whole house' protector is rated for at least 50,000 amps. Using
word association as a replacement for science, then the protector
should easily solve an open neutral problem. But 50,000 amps also has
a time parameter. Protectors are for events that occur typically in
microseconds. An open neutral is a problem that may be ongoing for
hours or days.

The earthing electrode is numerous purposes. One is to minimize
problems created by open neutral. A 'whole house' protector is for
earthing transients that might otherwise overwhelm protection already
inside all appliances. It must also have that same earthing connection
BUT does not even claim to address open neutral problems. If earthing
is not sufficient for an open neutral problem, then earthing certainly
is not sufficient for a 'whole house' protector. IOW same missing
earthing also means the 'whole house' protector has been compromised.

Earthing (not a surge protector) is protection. Earthing must be
sufficient for a human safety problem such as an open neutral. And
earthing must be even better (enhanced) so that an Intermatic 'whole
house' protector can protect from a completely different electrical
event.

On May 17, 9:50 am, "Dave W" wrote:
A little off topic, but we do seem to have a lot of electricians here. We
had a loss of neutral problem a few years ago (it was on the service pole,
CMP paid for all the damage). Recently we installed a whole house surge
protector to prevent loss in the event of losing the neutral again, to
protect against surges as the power flickers; happens a lot here in the
woods and to not have to buy surge protectors for all the electronic stuff
we seem to be collecting. Question is are these things any good? We had an
Intermatic installed by a licensed electrician; it came with a replace
equipment damaged warranty but only for five years. ...