Many RVers use a basic surge protector when they hook up their RV to shore power. The more advanced surge protectors are sometimes called an EMS, which means Electrical Management System. Some of these “Smart” EMS surge protectors are built right into an RV, while others like those shown below plug into a power pedestal, and then the RV’s electrical cord is plugged into them. They come in both 30 amp and 50 amp models.
Among other things, a smart surge protector will automatically shut off power to your RV when AC power falls dangerously low or rises dangerously high. It will not allow power to flow to the RV when there is reverse polarity, open neutral, open ground, or when 240 volts is detected on a 120-volt outlet.
Do you use one of these devices on your RV? Please click your response. The tally of all responses will show immediately afterward. Learn more about EMS Surge Protectors at Mike Sokol’s No Shock Zone.
I use a Progressive Industries 50 Amp Surge Protector. Best Money I ever spent! Has saved my RV and the Electrical System twice.
Once I had an error code at an RV Park, stating Reversed Wiring or something like that. They had the 50 amp plug mis-wired.
Second time was during a sever thunderstorm. I park my unit in a 48 foot RV Shed and it is wired for 50 Amp Service. A Bolt of lightning struck close to the shed and not only knocked out my 60 Amp breaker at the main power box, but tripped the 50 Amp on the Surge Protector and (get this) blew the back of the surge protector off.
I can only imagine had that surge gone directly into my RV.
Progressive Industries quickly replaced my Surge Protector with a new one.
As I stated best money ever spent. You should not go camping without one of these units.
I use my suregeguard EMS to protect agains faulty electricity at All RV Parks. Park electricity issues is more important to me than lightening strikes. I have seen low voltage (below 103 volts), open grounds at hook up and more important open grounds when power is drawn from the pedestal. (The last is more important because a meter plugged into the receptacle by park members with not power draw will show NO PROBLEM). I even saw High voltage over 135 volts. The park had just had new transformers installed by the power company. I was the only one with a EMS.
I feel one of the best insurance protection from electrical issues going. It could save all your electrical devices in the RV.
We had the progressive 30 amp surge guard, never knew when it would work right or not. On several occasions it would stop power to the camper even after the pedestal was checked and working correctly. After fighting with it and campgrounds and losing power quite a few times over 2 years, we went with the hughes transformer. Haven’t had a problem in 3 years.
Bought a Progressive Industries surge protector but it didn’t work. Called them twice for advice but, after a couple of condescending and unhelpful conversations, I went with the 50 Amp Surge Guard that has worked flawlessly and has protected us on four occasions from faulty pedestals. No question which product I’d recommend.
Twice surge guards have protected my electrical system. The surge guards themselves were burned but I quickly replaced them. I think of the surge guard as an insurance policy for my electrical system.
Our Surge Guard plugs in to the pole but that doesn’t protect from a brand new faulty 50 amp power cord supplied with the new 5th. Blew several appliances, fortunately under warranty. Only hardwiring onboard would protect from this fault.
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The Surge Guard also lacks flexibility so can’t securely connect to low power outlets.
Chuck, would not be without one. Had one I installed on my pickup camper and it saved my electronics twice. So it was a no brainer to install one on my class A inside the power bay just prior to the transfer switch. It has saved me 3 times in the past 5 years. Even though I always check the pedestal power before I hookup, brownouts have occurred and I’ve been shut down power-wise before damage to my electronics. For those on the fence, what’s worth more, your sat system, microwave, tv, inverter, all of them, or an EMS insurance policy? BTW ours have been Progressive Industries – SO Much more than a surge protector!
Chuck, would not be without one. Had one I installed on my pickup camper and it saved my electronics twice. So it was a no brainer to install one on my class A inside the power bay just prior to the transfer switch. It has saved me 3 times in the past 5 years. Even though I always check the pedestal power before I hookup, brownouts have occurred and I’ve been shut down power-wise before damage to my electronics. For those on the fence, what’s worth more, your sat system, microwave, tv, inverter, all of them, or an EMS insurance policy?
The way RV’s are made these days, me thinks a Surge protector just might be a VERY good investment to protect the junk coming out of the so called manufacturers plants. PLANTS maybe they should plant some, so maybe they will grow decent RV’s then. Just thinking.
Greetings. We have a Progressive Industries EMS-PT30. On one hand it’s wonderful, on the other hand it has a design problem. We purchased our first one in 2015, in 2016 I noticed plug burn damage and contacted the manufacturer. The damage is considered a user problem as it has been decided we don’t plug it in securely. They graciously offered their updated unit for $99, which I bought. We are very careful to plug it in securely, however there are many different types of power pedestals out there and the thick cord between the plug and the meter does not flex. Therefore, the plug is again burned. It still works, but who knows for how long. I sent an inquiry to Progressive about the issue and have not heard back. It’s been a couple weeks. I hate the idea of not having electrical protection but this is getting expensive. I suggested to them that the stiff design is not appropriate for real life usage.
Have you any ideas? I’m going to try using a bungee cord to try to ensure a tight fit, but again, the stiff cord won’t allow it in all cases. Do you have any idea if we can purchase a new plug to replace the damaged one? I’ve seen them on the internet for repair of damaged shore lines, but am unsure if that means we can use it on the surge protector.
I’m a subscriber and read the newsletter weekly. I suggest it as a reference to all new RVers I meet and mention the need for subscription dollars so you guys can get paid. Keep up the good work.
I had the same surge protector you mention…with the same problem …after contacting Progressive..to no avail…I took the surge protector apart to find inside melted..poor quality..not misuse was it’s death.I will never buy another Progressive product,instead went with a competitors better built 50 amp EMS after swapping trailers to one with 50 amp service.
I just ordered the 50-Amp Progressive Industries surge guard because of the great reviews. We should receive ours Tuesday. I also ordered an adapter that might solve your problems. Here’s the link:
https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Industries-50A-X-PLUG-Extension-Plug/dp/B01IQYXN5U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509201821&sr=8-1&keywords=Progressive+Industries+50A-X+Plug+50+Amp+Extension+Plug#productDetails
I also ordered the 50-30=extension instead of using a dog bone that we’ll use in case 50-amp service isn’t offered at a campground.
Funny story. We sold our Class C with with an board Progressive Ind EMS. The buyers loved the coach and I did explain the EMS function and showed them the location of the display should error codes occur. After they got home, the new owner called me and asked why all the shore powered appliances weren’t working. I suggested he check the EMS for codes. Turns out his residence wasn’t properly grounded. After reading the documentation, he used the over ride feature to manually power up the coach. Amazingly useful gadget that EMS!
Home power outlets can be just as dangerous as a campground pedestal. Any open ground on an outlet is one-half of a hot-skin condition which can be life threatening.
Our motorhome came equipped with one, considering the electronics in units today we wouldn’t be without one.
We did not use a surge protector in our Class A motorhome UNTIL lightening struck less than a 1/4 mile away and knocked out shore power. The power later came back with a vengeance. Not sure if the microwave fried from the lightening or the power surge but after waiting over 6 months for a replacement microwave that fit the space we will never be without a surge protector again.