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Dernhelm's avatar
Dernhelm
Explorer
Feb 17, 2022

Surge Protector Scorched

Hi folks - hope this is the right forum for this?

I have a 30A surge protector. This weekend while it was in use the power company (not the campground) did a power failure. I started hearing arcing from the box and beeping from the rig so I went to turn everything off - but the cheap s*** Regional Park didn't have circuit breakers. When the power came back on and I left the next day, I found that one of the posts on my surge protector is all scorched looking.

Do I need to replace it? Or do I just sand off the scorching?

BTW,it did its job and none of the rig was damaged.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Feb 17, 2022
    It worked if you have no damage! Yes, I’d replace mine if in your situation. Your experience is why I don’t plug in much. What brand and model please?
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Feb 17, 2022
    And some parks now forbid the use of autoformers. RVer isn’t getting what he/she paid for…safe power…and can’t make it safe for their RV.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    Feb 17, 2022
    Dernhelm wrote:
    Hi folks - hope this is the right forum for this?

    I have a 30A surge protector. This weekend while it was in use the power company (not the campground) did a power failure. I started hearing arcing from the box and beeping from the rig so I went to turn everything off - but the cheap s*** Regional Park didn't have circuit breakers. When the power came back on and I left the next day, I found that one of the posts on my surge protector is all scorched looking.

    Do I need to replace it? Or do I just sand off the scorching?

    BTW,it did its job and none of the rig was damaged.
    That's the important part, that's why we have them. I would think you need to have it tested, just to be sure it'll do it's job again.
  • Ed_Gee's avatar
    Ed_Gee
    Explorer II
    Feb 17, 2022
    I would certainly NOT trust that surge protector with a scorched post. No telling what damage was done in the cable or inside the unit. I'd replace it. NOTE: If you had had a Progressive Industries EMS unit, it would be covered by their Lifetime warranty...... just saying....
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Feb 18, 2022
    Lwiddis wrote:
    And some parks now forbid the use of autoformers. RVer isn’t getting what he/she paid for…safe power…and can’t make it safe for their RV.


    Never came across a park that prohibits them. I'm betting most parks, the staff don't even know what they are.

    More importantly, it's not relevant to the OP's question as he was dealing with a surge protector issue.

    To the OP: yes, time to get a new one. It did it's job
  • Dernhelm's avatar
    Dernhelm
    Explorer
    Feb 18, 2022
    To answer the kind people who asked which one? It's a Surge Guard. Pictured here: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Technology-Research-30-Amp-Entry-Level-Portable-Surge-Protector-44260/310566342 Glad it did its job, I guess I'll find out if it has a warranty! Thanks everybody.

    On edit: That's not quite it, mine has 3 lights. Same company though.

    Oh, and I was surfing for RV Parks in NE recently and did see one that said "no autoformers" but I don't remember which one it was and it was too resort-like so we aren't staying there anyway. But they do exist.

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