Are Double Surge Protectors a Good Idea?
Will two Surge Protectors be better than one? Who will guard the guards?
My Greetings Mike,
Great attending your sessions in Goshen last week. I have a question on RV surge protection. We have an internally installed EMS. As you have discussed multiple times the MOVs in this device are sacrificial in the case of protecting from incoming surges.
Since these are not easily accessible to replace I do have a question on another possible solution. Many of the RV surge protection suppliers also offer a basic surge suppression device that plugs into the power pedestal before the RV power plug.
Most of these offer some basic diagnostic checks as well as containing MOVs to guard against power surges. These devices are much less expensive the EMS devices.
In the case of multiple power surges the MOVs in this device would be destroyed. However, in the process, it would protect the MOVs in the internally installed EMS.
Once 'used up' this device would need to be replaced albeit at a much lower cost. It seems this would be a useful purchase to protect the more expensive and harder to access internally mounted EMS.
Thanks Mike, for your wise thoughts.
- Jim C
Greetings Jim,
I’m glad you were able to attend my RVelectricity seminars at the FROG 🐸 Rally in Goshen last week. And I’ve just been formally invited to present more seminars at FROG 🐸 2025!
Yup, you’re right!
You are 100% spot-on with the idea of an inexpensive MOV surge protector plugged into the pedestal protecting the expensive EMS surge protector installed inside of your RV.
I’ve spoken to several of the surge protector manufacturers about this, and they all agree that adding an under $100 MOV surge protector at the pedestal adds an extra layer of protection to your onboard EMS surge protector that can cost up to $800 or more.
Plus if the MOV protector takes a big hit and is destroyed while saving your EMS protector, it’s a quick and easy replacement you can easily do without having to pay a technician to install a new onboard surge protector.
You can read one of my previous articles on stacked surge protectors HERE.
Let’s play safe out there… .Mike
I ran into problems with my hard-wired Progressive Industries EMS connecting to a 30A outlet on a some other surge protector (I don't recall the brand) provided by the campground. My PI EMS faulted out and would not connect. I removed the second unit and everything was just fine.
You could buy a Power Watchdog. If the surge module (MOVs) is used up, the Watchdog sends a notice to your phone informing you it's used up. In that message is a toll free number, call that number and they will overnite you a new surge module, FOR FREE!
You can also purchase a surge module from Amazon ($25 to $35) and keep it in your RV for instant replacement. Free is better.