Surge protectors/suppession wear out

[strgrazr]

Surge protectors/suppessors wear out over time and need replacing even though the Monitoring System still functions. Most electrical spikes are less than a 100 Joules. Small spikes overtime cause the MOVs (metal oxide varistors) in the suppession devices to short curcuit. Most RV plugin devices are rated around 900 Joules. Each time an MOV shorts the protectors/suppessors loss capacity and life expectancy.
If a surge protector has a rating of 4000 Joules, (8x20μs) and another has a rating of 2000 Joules (8x20μs), then the 4000 joule protector has a life expectancy 10 times greater than that of the second protector. Joules matter!

An important feature of a good surge protection is the clamping time. Clamping time rating needs to be around 8-20 nanosecond, (20us), some RV devices are as slow as 1 mil second before the curcuit opens & removes power. The damage is already done before the device reacts. Check rating before buying.

https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...97719/TOTM.pdf

[wherewolf17]

Interesting. So my Progressive Industries EMS isn't really all that? J is only 1790 and they don't seem to publish clamping times. Highly rated and not cheap.

[strgrazr]

Yes, They sell many of the based on fear. In 35 years on Camping and living on Boats only add 2 issues & we RV camp about 80-100 days a year. The first was at a RV park, my fault, plugged in & did not turn of breaker, REf 7& were on--- got 5amp for Ref. The other was at home, tripped GFI, incorrectly repaired extention cord.