How does a Type 1 SPD compare to a Type 2 SPD?

Some key differences between Type 1 and Type 2 SPDs are:

• External Overcurrent Protection. Type 2 SPDs may require external overcurrent protection or it may be included within the SPD. Type 1 SPDs generally include overcurrent protection within the SPD or other means to satisfy the requirements of the standard; thus, Type 1 SPDs and Type 2 SPDs that do not require external overcurrent protection devices eliminate the potential for installing an incorrectly rated (mismatched) overcurrent protection device with the SPD.
• Nominal Discharge Current Ratings. Available Nominal Discharge Current (In) ratings of Type 1 SPDs are 10 kA or 20 kA; whereas, Type 2 SPDs may have 3 kA , 5 kA, 10 kA or 20 kA Nominal Discharge Current ratings.
• UL 1283 EMI/RFI Filtering. Some UL 1449 Listed SPDs include filter circuits that have been evaluated as a UL 1283 (Standard for Electromagnetic Interference Filters) filter. These are complimentary UL Listed as a UL 1283 filter and a UL 1449 SPD. By definition and the scope of UL 1283, UL 1283 Listed filters are evaluated for load-side applications only, not line-side applications. Consequently, UL will not complimentary list a Type 1 SPD as a UL 1283 Listed filter. However, a Type 1 SPD might include a UL 1283 filter as a Recognized Component within a Listed Type 1 SPD, which has been fully evaluated for lineside usage. Manufacturers of such products generally offer the identical SPD as a Type 2 UL 1449 Listed SPD with complimentary Listing as a UL 1283 Listed filter.
• Capacitors. Capacitors utilized in Type 1 SPDs may be evaluated for safety differently than in Type 2 SPDs. All capacitors in Type 1 SPD applications are
  evaluated to UL 810 (Standard for Capacitors). This includes filtering capacitors referenced above in UL 1283 (Standard for Electromagnetic Interference Filters) applications. Capacitors in Type 2 SPDs are evaluated to UL 1414 (Standard for Capacitors and Suppressors for Radio- and Television-Type Appliances) and/or UL 1283 (Standard for Electromagnetic Interference Filters).