A:Answer Resistance provided by the long (30') of wire between the panel and a surge protector limits the maximum peak voltage to your protected equipment. Close to the breaker panel, the available short-circuit current is much more than at the end of a long run of wire. Thus, resistance and inductance of a long run of wire is beneficial.
When calculating the 30 distance from your panel, consider that the wire usually runs up/down a wall and may cross room(s), hallway etc. and finally up/down to your outlet for the surge protector. Obviously for some the outlet and electrical panel are just too close together, and for others maybe not.
