I bought a HEPD80 surge protector to install in an old 100A Pushmatic panel. It has 12 AWG leads and for installation as a Type 2 SPD the paper that came with it calls for a 20A 2-pole breaker; I also seen online places where is says a 30A 2-pole breaker. The instructions also say that it can be installed as a Type 1 SPD ahead of the main breaker, with no overcurrent protection at all.
Additionally, I found this Eaton document which mentions putting their device with 14 AWG wires on a 50A breaker and states "Can a 14 AWG wire be installed using a 50 ampere circuit breaker? Yes. The connecting wires do not carry load current. Instead, they carry only short-duration currents that are associated with a transient event."
So my question is, since it is safe to install it ahead of the main breaker, is it not equally safe to install it on a larger breaker? I'd rather not try my luck installing it as Type 1 on live service wires; and I have a spare 40A 2-pole breaker laying around, but not a 20A (and the breakers aren't exactly cheap)...