Surge protector
I know the best kind are the ones which would be wired into the system, but saw this today and wondered if it would be any good. Is this a "better than nothing" or "you get what you pay for" situation...
Forum Discussion
SoundGuy wrote:
Whether a simple surge protector or "high dollar" EMS any surge exceeding the rating of the unit will destroy the MOVs (Metal Oxide Varistors) used to direct excessive current flow to ground.
That is not what a Progressive does. Word 'surge' has numerous unrelated meanings. Some call reverse polarity a surge. Some call an undervoltage a surge. The Progressive disconnects power when some types of anomalies (surges) exist. MOVs are irrelevant to those anomalies.
Nothing can report on MOV states (good or failed). Normal MOV failure (degradation) is not detected. Catastrophic (completely unacceptable) failure sometimes (might be) reported.
Protector MOVs are ineffective for that other type of surge if not mounted on (attached at) the pole. If mounted inside, it is too far from earth to be effective. MOV type protection is not effective by disconnecting power.
Surges such as lightning (or created by stray cars, tree rodents, etc) are irrelevant to typical campground protectors. AC anomalies such as overvoltage, floating ground, reverse polarity, etc are its concern. Protection from this type of surge is to disconnect. Obviously, MOVs cannot do what Progressive type protectors as designed to protect from.
"Electrical problems at CGs are often the result of poorly maintained electrical systems and components, if they even get maintained at all." That is what a campground protector addresses. Completely different from sometime, also called a surge protector, does for homes. Expression 'surge protector' defines many completely different and unrelated devices. Discussion must detail each separate function since all those devices, call protectors, are so different.
