Difference between Surge Protection and Power Protection

[Kaadk]

So, based on latest rounds of recommendations, I've been looking into getting a surge protector. And based on these same recommendations I'm look at the ones from PI

So, looking on Camping World for Progressive Industries I can see this:



This of course confuses me. 3x the price difference? What's so special about one over the other. So off I go to PI's website.

Over there, I find that one is referred to as a "Surge Protector" and the other is a "Power Protector". The 'Power Protector" has a built in monitor and some line filtering, but I still can't make out heads or tails about the 3x price difference. I'm not too worried about clean energy, it's not like I have high end components. I just want to protect myself against some of the cases of "Pole was wired wrong, now everything's fried" or "Other camper did 'X', now everything's fried" I've been reading about on here. Will the lower cost one do that or not?

[majordel]

I believe the "PI Smart Surge" is only a surge and reverse polarity INDICATOR, it will not protect from a power surge just let you know one happened or that the polarity is reversed in the pole your using.

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

I just want to protect myself against some of the cases of "Pole was wired wrong, now everything's fried" or "Other camper did 'X', now everything's fried" I've been reading about on here. Will the lower cost one do that or not?

I found in my research a few years ago that the SSP30 gives protection against surges only. There is no other protection, but it will provide "indicators" for mis-wired and reverse polarity that you will find usefull. If that is what you want, than the savings is worth it IMO.

PT30C offers all of that plus protection against higher surge levels (Joules and Amps) and other protection via shutdown for things like over/under voltage, open neutral, reverse polarity and hi/low voltage.

I Like that the PT30C will shutdown in case of under voltage and then reset automatically. It seems low voltage is more common than it used to be and I don't think the parks and older privately owned campgrounds have all kept up with the larger trailers. A really hot day when everyone is running air can cause low voltage, which in turn will cause your AC and other appliances to draw high amperage that causes damage.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by Triguy

I found in my research a few years ago that the SSP30 gives protection against surges only. There is no other protection, but it will provide "indicators" for mis-wired and reverse polarity that you will find usefull. If that is what you want, than the savings is worth it IMO.

PT30C offers all of that plus protection against higher surge levels (Joules and Amps) and other protection via shutdown for things like over/under voltage, open neutral, reverse polarity and hi/low voltage.

I Like that the PT30C will shutdown in case of under voltage and then reset automatically. It seems low voltage is more common than it used to be and I don't think the parks and older privately owned campgrounds have all kept up with the larger trailers. A really hot day when everyone is running air can cause low voltage, which in turn will cause your AC and other appliances to draw high amperage that causes damage.

X2...you want surge protection AND line voltage regulator/shutoff

[bob213]

Try here: $239. with free shipping. Use promo code 5OFF100 for an extra $5 off.
Progressive Industries 30 Amp Portable Electrical Management System - Surge Guards - Power Protection - Electrical

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by bob213

Try here: $239. with free shipping. Use promo code 5OFF100 for an extra $5 off.
Progressive Industries 30 Amp Portable Electrical Management System - Surge Guards - Power Protection - Electrical

Thanks, but I don't think I'd be able to go with them. Crazy as it seems it looks like they will ship to Europe, but not Canada? At least they don't seem to have an option for that.

At least with CW I can see if I can do an instore pickup and drive over to get it. I'll also need to call my local dealer, rarely, but occasionally, I can get stuff cheaper than CW through him.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

So, based on latest rounds of recommendations, I've been looking into getting a surge protector. And based on these same recommendations I'm look at the ones from PI

So, looking on Camping World for Progressive Industries I can see this:



This of course confuses me. 3x the price difference? What's so special about one over the other. So off I go to PI's website.

Over there, I find that one is referred to as a "Surge Protector" and the other is a "Power Protector". The 'Power Protector" has a built in monitor and some line filtering, but I still can't make out heads or tails about the 3x price difference. I'm not too worried about clean energy, it's not like I have high end components. I just want to protect myself against some of the cases of "Pole was wired wrong, now everything's fried" or "Other camper did 'X', now everything's fried" I've been reading about on here. Will the lower cost one do that or not?

You want the more expensive one. It monitors for low voltage, high voltage, missing ground, reverse polarity, etc. The difference is feeling protected versus being protected.

[BamaBob]

From one of my previous posts

When you look at the expense of getting your RV repaired from bad electricity, unless you are a electrician and can DIY, the unit I mentioned previously in this thread is the way to go.

Other things can happen at a camp *after* you do the initial power check....15 more units may plug in and cause a big voltage drop (low voltage can kill your A/C!) The electric company's system monitor could see the voltage drop and over-compensate and cause a over voltage situation (again fried everything)

These are just two situations that beg for constant monitoring. The higher end monitors not only detect under/over voltage but, if they exceed safe operation range, the unit cuts power to your RV until electricity returns to normal operation - then waits 45 or so SEC to ensure it is not being sporodic and then restores power to your unit gently so as not to overload/underload start up compressors on your roof A/C

So, if you have a 30 AMP connection here is what you need (from Amazon):
Amazon.com: Progressive Industries PT30C 30 Amp Portable Electrical Management System: Automotive

[whj77372]

You need the power management system. It will not let electricty thru if all is not good and will stop the electricty, not just for surges but for all issues. Yes a 30 AMP will cost almost $250 and the one that I have for 50 AMP was $340. I wouldn't hookup without it. Good Luck

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

-- Camping World Link --.

I have found I get consistently better prices from Amazon – especially if you have a Amazon Prime membership (Currently $79/yr) Not only do you get free 2 day shipping you also get access to their rather lager library of streaming movies and TV shows

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

I have found I get consistently better prices from Amazon – especially if you have a Amazon Prime membership (Currently $79/yr) Not only do you get free 2 day shipping you also get access to their rather lager library of streaming movies and TV shows

Yikes! Here's the CDN equivalent on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.ca/Surge-Protector...dustries+PT30C

Definitely better off driving over to Michigan and picking one up there.

[SKnight]

I have a question about this, do these work in the event that you can only plug into 30A? Say the park is 30A only, the 50A is damaged, whatever.

Would it still work and offer protection or would I need a 30A version as well?

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by SKnight

I have a question about this, do these work in the event that you can only plug into 30A? Say the park is 30A only, the 50A is damaged, whatever.

Would it still work and offer protection or would I need a 30A version as well?

Yes.

TURBS
Sabre owners united!

[1Texan]

You want the power protection for sure. It's worth every penny. Last year I was at a long term spot at a very nice and well maintained RV park. For 2 months everything was OK. Then one night my PI shut down my power. I reset it and everything was OK. A couple nights later it shut down again. I thought It was the power company doing a temporary power shutdown. When it happened again I started to check my voltage and amps on my remote readout. I found wildly swinging voltages and when it would go low, it automatically shut down the power. I went out to look at the power pole and when I unplugged my trailer the plug was melted from obviously a defective power tower recepticle. Without the unit I could have possible ruined my AC unit or other electrical appliances in the trailer. It's good insurance. Look at it another way, the cost of the better unit is probably 1/2 of 1 percent of the value of your trailer.

[elind]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Yes.

TURBS
Sabre owners united!

YES! What?

[5 hole]

Originally Posted by Triguy

I found in my research a few years ago that the SSP30 gives protection against surges only. There is no other protection, but it will provide "indicators" for mis-wired and reverse polarity that you will find usefull. If that is what you want, than the savings is worth it IMO.

PT30C offers all of that plus protection against higher surge levels (Joules and Amps) and other protection via shutdown for things like over/under voltage, open neutral, reverse polarity and hi/low voltage.

I Like that the PT30C will shutdown in case of under voltage and then reset automatically. It seems low voltage is more common than it used to be and I don't think the parks and older privately owned campgrounds have all kept up with the larger trailers. A really hot day when everyone is running air can cause low voltage, which in turn will cause your AC and other appliances to draw high amperage that causes damage.

To piggy back on Tri guys post.
Ok we have a seasonal site, our own properly wired power. We do no share with anyone etc. So I really have no issue with high draw from CG use. I know I have ground etc. I want to really protect from Surge? Ie lightening strike? Am I able to use the 'lower priced' option for this?

[MillerTime]

Originally Posted by SKnight

I have a question about this, do these work in the event that you can only plug into 30A? Say the park is 30A only, the 50A is damaged, whatever.

Would it still work and offer protection or would I need a 30A version as well?

If you have 50 amp on your rv, you need a 50 amp protection. If you have 30 amp in your rv, you need 30 amp.
If the cg only has 30 amp and your trailer or surge protector is 50 amp....use a dog bone (adapter) 30-50, plug in your surge guard and start camping.
If cg only has 50 amp and you have a 30 amp guard and trailer, use a 50-30 dog bone (or adapter), plug in your surge protector and camp!
Easy as pie!

MillerTime- Future Sabre Handler!!

[MillerTime]

Originally Posted by 5 hole

To piggy back on Tri guys post.
Ok we have a seasonal site, our own properly wired power. We do no share with anyone etc. So I really have no issue with high draw from CG use. I know I have ground etc. I want to really protect from Surge? Ie lightening strike? Am I able to use the 'lower priced' option for this?

Yes.
We used the lower priced 30 amp on our previous 5er, but I always tested the plugs before I plugged the trailer in, either with a dvom or with adapters and a tester I carry.

I'm guessing you have your own meter or share with one other site- at least the seasonal sites we've been looking at were one or the other.
I would think that this level would be adequate, but you never know. But even so the better one is cheaper than an insurance deductible most of the time!

MillerTime- Future Sabre Handler!!

[SKnight]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Yes.

TURBS
Sabre owners united!

Originally Posted by MillerTime

If you have 50 amp on your rv, you need a 50 amp protection. If you have 30 amp in your rv, you need 30 amp.
If the cg only has 30 amp and your trailer or surge protector is 50 amp....use a dog bone (adapter) 30-50, plug in your surge guard and start camping.
If cg only has 50 amp and you have a 30 amp guard and trailer, use a 50-30 dog bone (or adapter), plug in your surge protector and camp!
Easy as pie!

MillerTime- Future Sabre Handler!!

Cool, mine is a 50A rv, what got me wondering is if I had to adapt to 30A service, would the 50A protector flip out over the "missing" leg or would it be ok since it's running through an adapter.

[MillerTime]

Originally Posted by SKnight

Cool, mine is a 50A rv, what got me wondering is if I had to adapt to 30A service, would the 50A protector flip out over the "missing" leg or would it be ok since it's running through an adapter.

Never thought about it. It may show an open circuit (on one leg). I don't think that it would shut it down. They make the high dollar version in a hard wire model too. If there was an issue like that I'm sure that it would be all over on here...the pi$$ & moan club can get pretty loud!

Ps. Im getting the hardwired 50amp Progressive, here in the next month

MillerTime- Future Sabre Handler!!