A base element and a surge protection system incorporating the base element are provided. The base element includes a housing having a front portion and a rear portion. Apertures in the rear portion provide access to contacts secured within the housing, and a receiving portion extending from the front portion includes at least one receiving section for receiving a surge protection cartridge. Plug receptacles in the receiving portion are in electrical communication with the contacts to incorporate the surge protection device in a circuit when the surge protection cartridge is inserted. The base element is configured to mount orthogonally to a case such that conductors secured to the contacts extend through the apertures and into an enclosure defined by the case in a substantially linear direction. The system includes a case configured to be attached to a rack mount system and a plurality of base elements secured to the case.