Surge Protectors ?

[dlkershaw]

Beginning year 10, Traveling in a 2015 Bambi/ recently purchased a 22 FB Caravel /2023/
I have been using a SURGEGUARD 30 amp surge protector since 2014. Never any issues .......

Any reason to update?
Do Surge protectors have a lifespan?
If so any recommendations for brands ?
Thanks in advance to all responders!
Dave

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Yes, surge protectors do have a lifespan. Ten years is well past the point they should be replaced.

A better bet would be an internally wired "EMS" disconnect system. They *do* cost more money. They also do a much better job of protecting your RV.

Bob

[waninae39]

+1 for internal surge protectors
i have used them for 7 years now

it has saved our trailer 10+ times over the years

[GetawA-S]

I have been using the Hughes Power Watchdog (plugs into the post) and love the Bluetooth feed. I did get lazy about unplugging it ever, and it started to weld itself onto my cable spades. I probably should try some dielectric grease. (And no, I never connect it “hot”)

[MMCMRET]

I have a Southwire model 34830 120V, 30Amp (2450 joules of surge protection). From the manufacturers website:
"How do I know if my surge protection still works?
The surge protection does not usually fail unless there is a direct lightning strike. If this happens, there would likely be other obvious damage; otherwise, the surge protection should last indefinitely."

IMO you should not need to replace your surge protector unless it has failed, been damaged, or you would like to have the latest and greatest.

This question sparked some very intense, personal interest since my insurance company required me to put surge protection on all my buildings (performed between 2008-2010) I reached out to the insurance agent and electrical contractor. Neither have ever heard of surge protectors having a shelf life/expiration date, but they still need to be inspected every year to ensure they are still functioning.

This website offers some helpful information:
https://www.diteksurgeprotection.com...ds%20replacing.

Good luck.

[sfranklin]

Not all are created equal.

I use the progressive industries EMS. It provides much more than just surge.

I will cut power to the RV for over voltage, but also under voltage, it will not pass power to the RV if bad ground, if you connect by accident to a 240v source. Of course it costs a bit more....but to me, I just spent nearly $100k on a trailer, is about $225 with the protection? I thought so.

https://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems-pt50x

There are 30 and 50a units and both internal and external units to choose from.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Your typical surge suppressor uses metal oxide varistors (MOV's) to handle the spikes. They are degraded each time something comes along. Spikes well below the "lightning hit" level do damage to the MOV's.

The typical failure mode for a MOV is to split in half. They do this silently. Once the split, they no longer are doing you any good.

The surge suppressor outlet strips you plug your home electronics into work the same way. Grab one that's past its prime and crack it open. Most of the time, you will find split MOV's in it .... (I have a lot of empirical evidence on this .....).

Bob

[InvertdEagle]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

Your typical surge suppressor uses metal oxide varistors (MOV's) to handle the spikes. They are degraded each time something comes along. Spikes well below the "lightning hit" level do damage to the MOV's.

The typical failure mode for a MOV is to split in half. They do this silently. Once the split, they no longer are doing you any good.

The surge suppressor outlet strips you plug your home electronics into work the same way. Grab one that's past its prime and crack it open. Most of the time, you will find split MOV's in it .... (I have a lot of empirical evidence on this .....).

Bob

^This exactly! This is why one manufacturer (Hughes Power Watchdog) have user replaceable surge modules. They do get "used up" over time. I bought a spare module (they're small and inexpensive) to carry with us when we travel. Because you know they'll fail when you're out on a trip somewhere. Murphy's Law

[uncle_bob]

Hi

It's also why the folks who make the actual MOV's that go into the surge protectors rate them for some number of "hits". Most of them document the failure process. The reason they do is that it "fails safe" (open rather than short circuit).

Bob

[Mollysdad]

A good surge protector is like a parachute.
You don't need it until you do, and then you need it bad!

[richard5933]

If your surge protector is just a surge protector, then you need to upgrade. As mentioned above, look for one that also protects against over/under voltage and a few other issues like open ground, reversed polarity, etc.

Also, if your surge protector has ever served to protect against a surge it needs to be replaced. These are once and done things, in my book.

[hikingcamera]

Higher quality surge protectors that I’ve used usually have an indicator when the surge protection has failed / been used up. In the Progressive Industries EMS-PT30X and 50X, it throws an error code, but does continue to provide power to the trailer, so you do need to watch for the error codes that show up.

At home I have a few surge protectors from Zero Surge that do not use MOVs and does not wear out over time.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by hikingcamera

Higher quality surge protectors that I’ve used usually have an indicator when the surge protection has failed / been used up. In the Progressive Industries EMS-PT30X and 50X, it throws an error code, but does continue to provide power to the trailer, so you do need to watch for the error codes that show up.

At home I have a few surge protectors from Zero Surge that do not use MOVs and does not wear out over time.

Hi

If you take a hammer to the typical RV surge protector, it most certainly will have MOV's in it.

The Zero surge stuff appears to simply be an L/C filter.

https://zerosurge.com/how-series-mode-filters-work/

If so, that's not going to protect you in some cases that the MOV's (or gas discharge tubes) would.

Bob

[hikingcamera]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

If you take a hammer to the typical RV surge protector, it most certainly will have MOV's in it.

Never suggested otherwise.

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

If so, that's not going to protect you in some cases that the MOV's (or gas discharge tubes) would.

I defer to the electrical engineers on the real world implications of L/C filters vs. MOVs. I just know that Zero Surge are surge protectors that use the former.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by hikingcamera

Never suggested otherwise.



I defer to the electrical engineers on the real world implications of L/C filters vs. MOVs. I just know that Zero Surge are surge protectors that use the former.

Hi

Oddly enough you just happen to be talking to a degreed Electrical Engineer with 50 years experience designing this sort of stuff. In this case you are talking directly to him and *not* to the marketing department who is putting up a bunch of fluff and then paying a bunch of influencers to spread that message.

An L/C filter does *not* do the same thing as a MOV. They also tend to fail more often in a ball of smoke than MOV's.

Bob

[waninae39]

i too am an Electrical Engineer with 45+ years of industrial knowledge and experience

it is very important to protect your expensive trailer
- good quality , high flow water filters for all drinking needs
- power filters are a must, best to go internal with a status readout . we use the progressive industries EMS. the better one also protect from under/over voltage as well as polarity mismatch and incorrect wiring.
o these are more common problems we have experienced over the years and our EMS has saved us each time

- as well its important to protect your expensive trailer from theft . there are many options to choose from

AS does not provide these, thus its important for you to investigate and get the best items for you trailer

[Mollysdad]

On a previous MH I used a Progressive Industries SSP 50. The less expensive one with the LEDs. It served me well and when I sold the MH I let it go too.
With the Airstream I got the EMS-50. Double the price, hopefully worth it. I do wish the Display would time out because it's a flashing light at night, "Steal me!"

[hikingcamera]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

I do wish the Display would time out because it's a flashing light at night, "Steal me!"

You could get lightdims to make it less flashy. I locked it to things at first, but that didn’t last long. I’ve had mine for a couple years now, and so far so good. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

[Saullman]

I like the 'Active Start' surge protectors, they also have BT but in addition they also have soft-start built in as well.https://active-controls-llc.myshopify.com/

[Dick tracy]

Just bought the Hughes Watchdog 50a, great features and replaceable module as they do wear out when hit with surges.we were in several electrical storms in Colorado and Utah last month and my battery charger went out, not sure if we had a power surge, but bought it to be safe and help our the new charger
Brand new on ebay $150