surge protector

[priestlake]

We are in a park that has electrical spikes, once a day, then maybe not for a few days. About 132 someone said, I am not able to measure. The park is working on it with the utility company. My surge protector shuts down when it detects the spike, comes back on in two minutes as designed. I understand that the coach should be protected but it may play havoc with the surge protector. Before I move would like to hear what the utility company finds out. I think I am taking minimal risk, is that correct? Thankyou

[wa8yxm]

DutchmenSport wrote:
Sounds like your surge protector is doing exactly what it was designed to do.

I will second that.

OH, and though you said "Spikes" what you are seeing is not a spike, Your surge protector does protect you against Spikes but it will not shut down for a spike, Spikes traditionally last less than 1/60th of a second and are clipped by devices inside the Surge Protector since the relays can't act that fast.. And you should never notice them.. This is why i do not like most of the devices called "Surge Protectors" because they are actually SPIKE protectors.

A Surge is like a spike, but lasts longer.. I've never seen one in an RV park

A "Brownout" is long term reduction in voltage (Long term means more than 1/30th of a second, or longer depending on the programmer). and this too the Surge Guard (note the lack of quotes) will protect against.. This is more than likely what you are seeing, A park with anemic wiring is "Browning out" as various A/C's kick in and taking the voltage too low. Often your device will report the cause of the disconnect but you may need to be looking when it happens.

They also respond to over/under frequency. but this is very very rare when hooked to mains and would indicate major issues and likely result in the fire Dept paying a call on the power company.

[pianotuna]

I prefer to use a Sola Basic autoformer to correct the problem, rather than just having a disconnect.

[Jim]

OP said 'spikes' and mentioned 132 Vac. Spikes can indeed shorten the life of your surge protector but if it's a Progressive Industries, it's both guaranteed, AND, it has a user removable board that can be disconnected and returned to Progressive for a replacement making it a simple and effective method of quickly restoring proper surge protection. Without having to return the entire unit.

It's sort of a 'limp mode' without the board but only in that you have limited spike protection.

And they don't pay me anything to talk good about them. I just appreciate their products. I've owned both the 30 amp and now the 50 amp...both the interior type.

Hopefully, OP has the PI product.

[Mandalay_Parr]

I suspect they are not spikes but rather an intermittent loss of service. That will not damage a surge protector.
It will shut off due to low voltage and then back on after two minutes.

Call me if you wish. I can explain more.

[tommy_g]

If you have a Progressive EMS, It is forever guaranteed. There should be no problem with protection either. I've been in places where it has protected from both high and low voltage over and over again.

[Bill_Satellite]

What are you hoping to hear from the utility company? If your surge protector protects you from a surge, what else are you hoping for or asking about?

[DutchmenSport]

Sounds like your surge protector is doing exactly what it was designed to do. From experience ... once they fail completely, they simply do not work, and your camper will receive no power at all. They shut down completely. I think your camper is safe, and as long as your protector is turning back on in 2 minutes, it's doing exactly what it's suppose to do.