As promised here's Part 1 of my 3-Part series on how the Hughes Autoformer works. The last part will include full charts and graphs from my NEC Autoformer study.
Mike, interesting article, but looking for some clarification. You seem to be referring to the autoformer as the specific product being reviewed, but if I understand correctly, "Hughes Autoformer" is the name of the company that makes a line of power related products, including their voltage boosters as well as surge protectors aka "Power Watchdog".
This review applies only to their voltage boosters and NOT to their surge protectors, correct? I understand that their voltage booster may have been their initial product and that "autoformer" became synonymous with it. I just don't want people to falsely believe that use of their Power Watchdog surge protector may be a code violation or perhaps get them booted from a campground if that's not the case.
Hughes is the name of the company, and they have two main products. Their first was the Hughes Autoformer, which is a 10% boost autotransformer. And all booster transformers were declared a code violation for use in campgrounds in the 2020 NEC, but are now allowed as of the 2023 code revision.
Their other product is the Hughes Power Watchdog, which is an intelligent surge protector that will disconnect your RV from high or low voltage, but can’t boost it. This product was never a code violation in campgrounds.
Stay tuned for the full story, but the ban has already been lifted in the 2023 edition of the code.
Mike, interesting article, but looking for some clarification. You seem to be referring to the autoformer as the specific product being reviewed, but if I understand correctly, "Hughes Autoformer" is the name of the company that makes a line of power related products, including their voltage boosters as well as surge protectors aka "Power Watchdog".
This review applies only to their voltage boosters and NOT to their surge protectors, correct? I understand that their voltage booster may have been their initial product and that "autoformer" became synonymous with it. I just don't want people to falsely believe that use of their Power Watchdog surge protector may be a code violation or perhaps get them booted from a campground if that's not the case.
Marco
Hughes is the name of the company, and they have two main products. Their first was the Hughes Autoformer, which is a 10% boost autotransformer. And all booster transformers were declared a code violation for use in campgrounds in the 2020 NEC, but are now allowed as of the 2023 code revision.
Their other product is the Hughes Power Watchdog, which is an intelligent surge protector that will disconnect your RV from high or low voltage, but can’t boost it. This product was never a code violation in campgrounds.
Thanks for the clarification. I really appreciate your articles!
Sounds like your going to get some needed answers! How about the NECode that made it a violation? Will this have some input to their decision?
Snoopy