50A surge with 30A adaptor

[ike66]

Looking at the EMS-PT50X from progressive industries to protect my 5th wheel. The camper has a 50A service and a lot of the places we go only have the 30A pedestal. So will the surge device still function properly with a 30A adaptor on it since it will only get one 120v leg to it.

[SoundGuy]

wa8yxm wrote:
The spec sheet for the surge guards
From the product description
30 amp: Total Joule rating is 1,790, 44,00A surge Current.
50 Amp: Total Joule rating is 3,580, 88,00A surge current.

This is the one function the 50 amp does BETTER than the 30, even on 30 amp feeds. This is the also the function those cheap hardware store outlet strips perform.. Just not nearly as well.

In any rig wired with 50 amp main service some devices will be wired across leg 1, others across leg 2. That 3580 Joule surge rating for the 50 amp Progressive EMS is it's combined rating of 1790 Joules for each of the two legs - exactly the same as the 1790 Joule rating for the 30 amp version across it's one leg. 😉 Surge protection in either version is provided by a set of MOVs (Metal Oxide Varistors), the 30 amp version having one set, the 50 amp version two sets, one for each of it's two legs. MOVs bottom right in each of these two pics.

My own EMS-HW30C




Stock EMS-HW50C



These are both Progressive Industries EMS units and are not "Surge Guards" which is a proprietary name used by TRC (Technology Research Corp) to describe it's series of surge protection devices, from basic SP to EMS units which include surge protection. Interestingly, many TRC EMS models are surge rated even higher than the Progressive units. The devil is in the details. 😉

[wa8yxm]

Link to what documentation?

The spec sheet for the surge guards
From the product description
30 amp: Total Joule rating is 1,790, 44,00A surge Current.
50 Amp: Total Joule rating is 3,580, 88,00A surge current.

This is the one function the 50 amp does BETTER than the 30, even on 30 amp feeds. This is the also the function those cheap hardware store outlet strips perform.. Just not nearly as well.

[SoundGuy]

Cydog15 wrote:
Link to that documentation if you don't mind. I like the portable because I can use it between more than one RV and it does have a lock ring.

Don't let others confuse you, the Progressive portable EMS-PT30(50)X models are electrically identical to the hardwire EMS-HW30(50)C models and perform the exact same tasks. The portable version is sealed so if there's ever an issue with it you'll have to return to Progressive for repair or replacement. The hardwire version is considered field serviceable so if there's ever an issue with it Progressive will send you the part required for repair that you can then install yourself. Trip delay for the portable version is fixed at 136" but the hardwire version can be switched from the factory default of 15" to 136" by removing an internal jumper.

Potentially theft of a portable version might be a concern but I've never heard of anyone suffering this kind of loss. The unit is supplied with a metal ring so you can secure it to the power post if you're concerned. Another solution is to locate the portable EMS at your trailer, perhaps tuck it under a slide or wheelwell, and run an extension out to the power post. A third option is to mount it inside your trailer just as you would a hardwire version. One should choose what suits their situation best and if it's a portable version rest assured it will perform just as well as the hardwire version. :B

[SoundGuy]

ike66 wrote:
Looking at the EMS-PT50X from progressive industries to protect my 5th wheel. The camper has a 50A service and a lot of the places we go only have the 30A pedestal. So will the surge device still function properly with a 30A adaptor on it since it will only get one 120v leg to it.

A little clarification - when you plug a 30 amp male > 50 amp female dogbone into 30 amp campground service the one hot leg from that 30 amp feed will be applied to both legs of the 50 amp dogbone. Obviously if you then plug a 50 amp EMS-PT50X into that dogbone power will be applied to both legs of the EMS so of course it will work just as if it was plugged directly into 50 amp service. The EMS in turn will send that power on to both legs of the 50 amp cable feeding the trailer ... power however will be limited to a maximum of 30 amps total vs 100 amps total (50 amps per leg) supplied by 50 amp RV service.

[MDKMDK]

Cydog15 wrote:

wa8yxm wrote:
First I suggest teh HW over the PT. Will explain 3rd

Second: Not only will it work just fine,, but it will work BETTER (one function) on 30 amps. These are multi function devices.
Like the el-cheapo "Surge Guards' they clip spikes (This is the function it does better) as well as dealing with longer lasting surges and with brownouts.

Third:
The PT, you have to drag it out and plug it in, and if someone decides "I need it more than HE does".. Well........

The HW, you install and "Forget" for the most part. since it is hidden INSIDE it's out of sight, and out of the thief's mind. (And reach)

Link to that documentation if you don't mind. I like the portable because I can use it between more than one RV and it does have a lock ring.

Or, you can carry a 25/30 foot 30A extension cord, and plug the hard wired RV shore power cord into the portable EMS PT30X, and lock it inside your lockable power cord bay, and then run the 30A extension cord from the now hidden input side of the surge protector, to the campground power post. Your portable EMS PT30X is INSIDE the lockable power bay compartment, and out of the thief's mind there, too.
Pardon the paraphrasing. :W

[Cydog15]

wa8yxm wrote:
First I suggest teh HW over the PT. Will explain 3rd

Second: Not only will it work just fine,, but it will work BETTER (one function) on 30 amps. These are multi function devices.
Like the el-cheapo "Surge Guards' they clip spikes (This is the function it does better) as well as dealing with longer lasting surges and with brownouts.

Third:
The PT, you have to drag it out and plug it in, and if someone decides "I need it more than HE does".. Well........

The HW, you install and "Forget" for the most part. since it is hidden INSIDE it's out of sight, and out of the thief's mind. (And reach)

Link to that documentation if you don't mind. I like the portable because I can use it between more than one RV and it does have a lock ring.

[wa8yxm]

First I suggest teh HW over the PT. Will explain 3rd

Second: Not only will it work just fine,, but it will work BETTER (one function) on 30 amps. These are multi function devices.
Like the el-cheapo "Surge Guards' they clip spikes (This is the function it does better) as well as dealing with longer lasting surges and with brownouts.

Third:
The PT, you have to drag it out and plug it in, and if someone decides "I need it more than HE does".. Well........

The HW, you install and "Forget" for the most part. since it is hidden INSIDE it's out of sight, and out of the thief's mind. (And reach)

[MrWizard]

moved from technology

[AllegroD]

Yes.

[ike66]

ScottG wrote:
Yes, it will work fine and the adapter will apply the single leg to both sides of the 50A. (I have the hard wired unit.)
So you're good to go!

Good to know thanks, will be ordering one this week.

[ScottG]

Yes, it will work fine and the adapter will apply the single leg to both sides of the 50A. (I have the hard wired unit.)
So you're good to go!