Are surge guards necessary?

Any yet once I had 160V with my 50A rig on a 30A pedestal due to a open neutral... Think outside the box.

Rmack1 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

If you have a 30 amp service protection is not so very necessary, provided you check voltage and polarity before you plug in.

50 amp units can be damaged instantly by a bad neutral, so I'd consider it a good idea to have a top of the line energy management system.

What exactly do you mean by 30 amp service protection? Like what I quoted my power distribution center as having?

If you have a 30A service, (coma) protection is not so necessary.......

That is because less chance of a miswired power pedestal with 30A service (50A has the possibility of 240V and Open Neutral)

30A can still have Open ground, High/Low Voltage excursions and Surges.

Not that I would want to go through the hassle, or pay the large deductible on my policy, but I wonder if my Good Sam insurance covers damage from these electrical events. Or if they would give me a discount if I had one of these surge protectors.

Rmack1 wrote:
What exactly do you mean by 30 amp service protection? Like what I quoted my power distribution center as having?

What you've described is a load shedding device. To much current draw and a AC then HW etc is turned off. Just keeps from tripping the CB.

Power protection devices disconnect with high/low voltage, miswired plugs etc. Look up the Protective Industries HW30C and HW50C. Better units than Surge Gurad IMHO.

Rmack1 wrote:
Is there ever a reason to have a surge guard between the generator and your RV?

Not in my opinion. Anything's possible, but nobody's ever reported a generator surge blowing out stuff. Generator sag, that's a frequent occurence with no lasting effects.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

If you have a 30 amp service protection is not so very necessary, provided you check voltage and polarity before you plug in.

50 amp units can be damaged instantly by a bad neutral, so I'd consider it a good idea to have a top of the line energy management system.

What exactly do you mean by 30 amp service protection? Like what I quoted my power distribution center as having?

OK, I guess I'm sold.

However, I'm planning on leaving for a trip real soon, but I'm only going to be dry camping. No hook ups, I'll be using my generators.

Is there ever a reason to have a surge guard between the generator and your RV?

BTW, thanks to everyone for all the helpful advice I've received on this board. When I run across a thread that I can give advice on, I do, to give back.

I've only been an RV owner for about a year and a half, and this board has been absolutely vital. I don't know what I would have done without it. Thank you all again.

Hi,

If you have a 30 amp service protection is not so very necessary, provided you check voltage and polarity before you plug in.

50 amp units can be damaged instantly by a bad neutral, so I'd consider it a good idea to have a top of the line energy management system.

" Automatically shuts down power during overloead or short-circuit conditions"


Overload.....high amp draw
Short-circuit....ground fault

"WFCO ULTRA III Distribution Center"

It is protecting itself.......not the rest of your appliances, electronics, circuit boards etc. due to High/Low Voltage excursions, Open Neutral, Open Ground, Reverse Polarity, 240V , Frequency Excursions AND Surges.....like a quality 'surge guard' will.

Are they needed.......NO
Are they worthwhile tool to have.......YEP.
Sorta like Insurance.....have it and hope to not use it. BUT one 'OH #^#%$' and $$$$$ replacing appliances, TVs, circuit boards.

Best one....Progressive Industries Surge and Voltage Protection in 30A & 50A (More important with 50A rig) PLUS lifetime warranty.

The other brand........1 yr. warranty

Short answer: No.

Long answers:

Surge protection2010
Surge, 2010, 50a
Surge, Class A, 2011
Surge, 2013