Seems like your best bet for the average RVer would be to get a circuit protection device which shows voltage and current like the Southwire Surgeguard. The only load that matters is the load from your RV so using it to do a semi static test through the meters (and protection) of the Surge Guard would suffice.
I was going to say the same thing as Randy did. I always check the front panel on my surge protector which includes the voltage, current, and frequency. I even have a remote readout device which I keep in my trailer. The only problem is that the remote is battery operated and tends to go dead without me knowing until I go to check it.
As stated below, a good quality surge protector is your best bet. My 50 amp Surgeguard has saved me several times even though I always check the voltage before hooking up. The voltage may be good when checking without load however could go down under load
The question I still have is what would a static or dynamic load tester do for us beyond the diagnostics in a modern top of the line surge protector? Their cost is on par with the dynamic meters Mike was describing.
From what I can understand, what is being looked for here is voltage drop vs current. Is there something else that this testing looks for? After checking voltages before hookup, I keep an eye on the voltages vs the current draw reported to the system from the ATS in our class A. Is this sufficient "testing" for this issue?
Yes that’s how it works. Plus it calculates impedance of each conductor including the EGC bond. That’s not useful info unless someone with my background is trying to analyze a system wide problem like voltage sag or slow breaker tripping. Then it’s great intel…
As a RV traveler and camper, I do as you do. And from my point of view, that is really all we can do if plugged into a dynamic, potentially ever-changing current supply. Park loads may increase over weekends and holidays or weather, dropping available voltage and with all the connection and disconnection of loads so close to or on the same circuit as our rigs, nothing is likely to be a constant. And residential homes while perhaps have more stable electric power, they also experience variations in their electrical supply. I think most RV park and campground owners/operators just wait for a really hot or cold day when the park is full to load bank their electrical distribution systems. That is when guests will typically experience problems.
Seems like your best bet for the average RVer would be to get a circuit protection device which shows voltage and current like the Southwire Surgeguard. The only load that matters is the load from your RV so using it to do a semi static test through the meters (and protection) of the Surge Guard would suffice.
I agree…. I only do pedestal load testing as part of forensic analysis.
I was going to say the same thing as Randy did. I always check the front panel on my surge protector which includes the voltage, current, and frequency. I even have a remote readout device which I keep in my trailer. The only problem is that the remote is battery operated and tends to go dead without me knowing until I go to check it.
As stated below, a good quality surge protector is your best bet. My 50 amp Surgeguard has saved me several times even though I always check the voltage before hooking up. The voltage may be good when checking without load however could go down under load
The question I still have is what would a static or dynamic load tester do for us beyond the diagnostics in a modern top of the line surge protector? Their cost is on par with the dynamic meters Mike was describing.
From what I can understand, what is being looked for here is voltage drop vs current. Is there something else that this testing looks for? After checking voltages before hookup, I keep an eye on the voltages vs the current draw reported to the system from the ATS in our class A. Is this sufficient "testing" for this issue?
Yes that’s how it works. Plus it calculates impedance of each conductor including the EGC bond. That’s not useful info unless someone with my background is trying to analyze a system wide problem like voltage sag or slow breaker tripping. Then it’s great intel…
As a RV traveler and camper, I do as you do. And from my point of view, that is really all we can do if plugged into a dynamic, potentially ever-changing current supply. Park loads may increase over weekends and holidays or weather, dropping available voltage and with all the connection and disconnection of loads so close to or on the same circuit as our rigs, nothing is likely to be a constant. And residential homes while perhaps have more stable electric power, they also experience variations in their electrical supply. I think most RV park and campground owners/operators just wait for a really hot or cold day when the park is full to load bank their electrical distribution systems. That is when guests will typically experience problems.