Are Rv Surge Protectors Worth It?

Yes, they are absolutely worth it, as a matter of fact, it is non-negotiable especially when your home is your mobile wheel(RV).

 

I’m sure you don’t want to come back from a trip exhausted and thinking at the same time about how to repair your appliances( if the Rv is yours) or even pay up for damages( if the Rv is rented). I know you don’t want to imagine how hard your journey will be if your appliances got burnt on the 15th day of your 30 days journey especially when you are riding with kids. This article is set to help you not to fall into this imaginary mess.

 

Let’s get started.

          What is an Rv surge Protector?

A surge protector is a device designed to protect your Rv appliances and even your Rv itself from a high voltage power surge or spike that occurs when the electric current in electrical equipment is above 120v as a result of uninvited lightning or a tamper with the power pedestal at campsites which is inevitable.

What does a Surge Protector do for An Rv

There are multiple things a surge protector does for an RV and they include,

• It safeguards the Rv and valuable electrical appliances from an electrical surge.
• It detects any electrical issues before allowing power to flow into the RV.
• It monitors the power pedestal.
• It regulates the electrical flow (EMS).
• Few brands of surge protectors give display information on the current electrical status.
• It helps to discover faulty connections in campsites
• It helps lower the likelihood of fire hazards.
• It helps to extend the life of your appliances.
• It prevents any shock hazard.
• It cuts short the power supply if the electricity is bad leaving the appliances safe.
• It even gives the passengers peace of mind as they can operate any of their appliances without fear.

 

 Why Do I need surge protection?

Your friends have gone on trips with their Rv without a power surge protector and you also want to take that step? You might not be lucky as your friends and when it comes to protection, luck is not to be considered but precautions.

 

You need to get a surge protector due to the following reasons

• Different campsites have different electrical wirings and since you will not be visiting just a campsite, there is a need to get one to protect your Rv against any harmful electrical irregularities.

 

• Campsites are always busy during summer and when so many people are connected to the power source, it might bring about low voltage and this can bring about gradual damage to your appliances as Undervoltage is difficult to recognize.

 

• The plug of the power pedestal might have been damaged without you knowing because of the rush to settle down.

 

• Situations might force you to camp in a site known for lightning storms and this can result in a greater risk of fire hazards.

 

• The plug might have been wrongly wired or not tightened down.

 

• To avoid incurring unnecessary costs on repairs or replacement of RV.

 

• There is an increased risk of faulty wiring at unmaintained campsites. 

 

       How Much Surge Protection Do I Need For My RV.

You cannot over-emphasize how much surge protection you need for your Rv as you do not have control over electrical surges as your surge protector does though. The type of Rv and the electrical appliances you have will determine how much surge protection you need.

 

There is a need for you to know the models of surge protector available for you to know which one will meet the electrical requirement of your Rv.

   

   Models of  Rv Surge Protector.

There are two models of surge protectors and they are

 

• Surge protector

This is the common one known around and can still be bought without thinking twice but it has limited use as it is also plugged into an outlet and can only protect against electrical issues. It might even get burnt as a result of a lightning strike at a power pole though it will protect your appliance.

 

• Electrical Management System

It is popularly called EMS. Just like a mother protects a child in every season, EMS serves as a source of protection to appliances against every electrical issue that might arise. It does perfect work in monitoring the power and has the ability to cut power even before it reaches the electrical appliances or electronics.

 

Unlike the basic surge protectors, EMS is more expensive but more reliable, you don’t have to worry about its safety, and has the ability to protect your Rv against the following electrical  conditions

 

• Open Neutral
• High Voltage 
• Low Voltage
• Shock Hazard
• High frequency
• Low frequency
• High current
• Miswired Pedestal.

 

However, they are available in portable units and hard wire, without difference in their protection use but it all depends on your choice.

 

• Portable units are plugged within the power pedestal and Rv power unit and do not require any effort to make it work and can be used anytime as they are weather resistant. It can also be moved from one Rv to another though it can get stolen or misplaced. However, most comes with a metal ring around the cord part where you can use a lock to secure it.

 

• Hardwire unit requires a special effort to set it up though they are permanently installed within your RV as they are not weather resistant.

 

Overloading of a surge protector will still result in damage to your appliances so it is required of you to know the amp of your Rv and get a surge protector of that same amp. A 30 amp surge for a 30 amp RV and a 50 amp surge for a 50 amp RV is just the exact much of surge protection you need.

 

Conclusion.

Once you have set up your Rv, get an RV protection surge as you don’t have to wait for your appliances to get damaged before getting a surge protector, you can take precautions by getting one to avoid uninvited damage.

 

From this article, you should be able to make the best decision about getting one or not and the best model to get.