EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article was written by Kenny Wright, the RV Field Sales Manager for Southwire.
Surges can happen anytime, anywhere. But when it comes to RVs or mobile homes, surges are a serious threat, potentially causing electrical fires, bodily harm or even costing someone thousands of dollars in repairs or replacements for electronic appliances and equipment. This can lead to frustrating and unnecessary travel delays, expensive insurance claims, and inconvenient downtime. About 90% of all RVs do not have any form of electrical protection. Kenny Wright, RV Field Sales Manager at Southwire, shares the importance of surge protectors for RVs and other mobile homes.
What is surge protection?
Surge protection is protection against voltage spikes or surges on power lines. These voltage spikes and surges can cause severe damage to all electronics, even if they’re not close in proximity. When surges occur, a surge protector diverts the excess voltage to the ground, preventing it from reaching the connected electric devices. This safely dissipates the surge and protects the electronics from damage.
Why are surge protectors needed for RVs?
Surge protectors are needed in RVs for the same reason they’re needed in any standard home or apartment— they keep your electronics safe! Unlike normal housing, RVs are more likely to receive inconsistent power.
RVs hook up to power pedestals at campgrounds, parks, and other locations. These pedestals can potentially be old and outdated. They’re most likely that they were wired by a non-union electrician, leading to wiring mistakes or a setup resulting in faulty electrical power— which is not ideal for multiple RVs to be plugged into safely without any additional protection. Power pedestals are the single largest threat to an RV’s highly sophisticated electronic circuitry, from appliances like air conditioners and microwaves to general electronics like TVs, computers, and hair dryers.
Additionally, during rallies and other major events, it’s common for campgrounds to bring in temporary power, like generators for additional power. These generators could cause additional drops, surges, or spikes in power due to the sheer volume of people reliant on the electricity. This can also be a risk for surges since most people would be turning the power off and on during the same relative timeframe.
Overall, the combination of an unstable and poor power connection with the common fluxes of electricity usage makes surge protectors a valuable asset to keeping the electronics on an RV safe.
What to look for when purchasing surge protection
There are many RV surge protectors on the market. Here are some qualities to look for when purchasing a surge protector for an RV:
- Warranties – It is always best to find a surge protector that has a warranty, especially in the rare case that it doesn’t do its job and the electronics on board the RV get damaged or unfixable. Be sure to find one that will replace or repair electronics in the event they get damaged from a surge.
- How many joules the surge protector is rated for – Joules is a unit of measurement that describes the amount of energy a surge protector can absorb during a power surge. This means that the higher the joule rating is, the greater the surge protection. For an RV, it is best to aim for a surge protector with a minimum of 2,100 joules to ensure adequate protection against power surges.
- How many max spike currents (MOV) the surge protector is rated – MOV refers to the highest amount of electrical current that the surge protector can safely handle in the event of a voltage spike, such as those caused by lightning strikes or other electrical disturbances. Therefore, the higher number of MOVs, the more hits the surge protector can take and the safer the electronics are.
- Does it provide any helpful information or have any additional assurances – It is always helpful if a surge protector can provide any additional information that may be useful in determining the potential for spikes and surges. For instance, some surge protectors can indicate bad power at a pedestal or even completely disconnect from the power until it senses that the correct flow of power has resumed. Additionally, it is critical to ensure an RV surge protector is weather-resistant and UL certified, meaning that the manufacturer has met all required safety standards.
Various factors can play into a surge or spike happening to an RV at a campground or other site. At the end of the day, surge protectors are an essential investment for RV owners, providing a simple yet effective way to safeguard valuable electrical systems from unexpected power surges and faults. By offering peace of mind and preventing costly repairs or replacements, a surge protector is a small yet crucial addition to an RV setup, ensuring that adventures can be powered safely and reliably.
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