30amp surge protector on 50amp line
Quick search here turned up nothing. Am getting a new trailer. It’s set up for 50amp but doesn’t have the 2nd AC unit installed. Has the 50amp cord. Without the 2nd AC, I wouldn’t think that the RV w...
Forum Discussion
Chum lee wrote:
Hummmmmmmmmmmm! Please educate me if incorrect. My understanding of most inline surge protectors is that they protect YOUR electrical system (especially very sensitive electronic components) from externally generated surges (power company or line voltage) not internally generated surges. Your in house fuses and circuit breakers do that.
External surges could be the result of lightning strikes on conductors, transformers, switch gear, or high demand loads which turn on/off outside your system, remote transformers coming on/going off line due to power company (grid) requirements, etc.
Chum lee
There are two types of "Surge Protectors" The most common is nothign of the sort but does a decent job on spikes caused by Motors shutting off (or starting) and not all that near lightening strikes.
These spikes generally last 1/60 second or so give or take about half (1/120 to 1/30 second) A true surge lasting more than a second.. And BANG the MOV's sound like firecrackers on July 4. (Been there. Heard that).
So if you plug into what looks like a TT-30 but is a 240 volt outlet. Or your hired electrician/friend electrician looked at the TT-30 (This really happened in a store I was visiting.. Thankfully I was visiting and pointed out the "125 volt maximum" label on the outlet) well BANG goes your low end Surge Guard and ZZZZOOOOTTTTTT all your expensive stuff.
Now a Progressive Dynamics HW-30/50 C or PTX 30/50C or the Southwire/TRC Surge Guard equivlent.
These do not just have an Indicator light or 3 they have actual readouts that show VOLTAGE and Current (On the remote if hard wired) and they MONITOR voltage.> They also delay Power on (Easy to tell if you got the good ones)
So if you plug in and about 2.5-3 minutes later CLUNK you got power. you got the good one.
If you plug into a 240 volt TT-30 or looks like a TT-30 and plug fits as above.. NO CLUNK No power Just a display that shows why (240 volts)
If the voltage goes low. say 90 volts.. Well that's rough on compressors and the like.. So CLUNK no power I've seen 90 volts (or less) in a park with anemic wiring.
But these are true Energy monitor Systems not just spike guards.
They also cost like 200-400 dollars. for the 50 amp version.
But I strongly recommend them.
