The 7 Best RV Surge Protectors In 2021

The Camco Power Grip Voltage Protector is the best-performing RV surge protector that will provide protection from power surges along with high and low voltage levels which are damaging to the electrical system and equipment.

What makes this the absolute best RV surge protector is that it will even protect against man-made wiring issues. Also, the LED display positioned on the product is a great way to monitor a safe supply of current.

So, choose this product if you want the finest protection. We also recommend you check out all the other top-rated RV surge protectors we reviewed in this article.

Table Summary

 

Top 7 RV Surge Protectors of 2020 Review

In this article, you will find an in-depth review of the best RV surge protectors of 2020. We added their technical information and key features so you can easily compare them and choose the most appropriate one for yourself.

1.Camco Power Grip Voltage Protector

 

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Key Features:

• 2,800 Joules surge protection with additional protection from voltage fluctuation.
• Automatically disconnects under abnormal current flow.
• Protection from faulty wiring.
• Weather-resistant.

This Camco RV surge protector is the best overall surge protector that will provide you with every kind of protection you need for an RV’s electrical system. You can choose between the 30-amp or 50amp version. The basic surge protection rating is 2,800 Joules for the 30amp version and 4,200 Joules for the 50-amp version.

The RV surge protector will also provide voltage fluctuation protection. The protection range is from 132 VAC at the high end and 102 VAC at the low end. It will protect against any kind of wiring issues like reverse polarity and open neutral. The LEDs will indicate the faults in the power pedestal before re-routing the power to your RV. This precautionary measure decreases the risk of electrical equipment failure.

There is also an auto disconnect and reconnect feature in case of power surges and other dangerous conditions. As soon as the surge protector detects normal current flow, it will reconnect to provide continuous current to your RV. You won’t even have to shield the RV surge protector from rainwater when it is in an upright position. The equipment is already in a weather-resistant enclosed box.

Overall, this is a great product to protect your RV’s electrical system. You won’t have to check up on it for power surges as it will automatically disconnect and reconnect.

Technical Specifications:

• Current rating: 30 amps/50 amps
• Voltage rating: 120V
• Surge Protection: 2,800 Joules/4,200 Joules
• Weight: 4.91 pounds/6.82 pounds

2.Progressive Industries Best RV Surge Protector

 

 

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Key Features:

• 1,790 Joules surge protection under an operating temperature of -40C to +105C.
• Weather-resistant and weather shield assembly.
• Safety locking bracket.
• Lifetime warranty.

Progressive Industries are famous for their RV surge protector products. This product is an EMS based 30-amp RV surge protector. It will protect your RV from 44,000A maximum spike and 1,790 Joules of power surge. It also has an integrated digital display that will provide a broad description of the condition of the power supply.

The additional faults it will detect are the open hot, open ground, and open neutral wiring. It will also detect reverse polarity. The mounting style of the RV surge protector is a power pedestal and there is a weather-resistant see-through cover included with it.

The only disadvantage is this product is not UL/CSA approved, just UL listed. Being UL listed doesn’t mean the product is not good. The separate surge module provides enough protection for your RV in different situations with under a nanosecond response time. Also, the light indicators are a great way to determine the root cause of an electrical problem.

Technical Specifications:

• Current rating: 30 amp
• Voltage rating: 120V
• Surge Protection: 3-mode/1,790 J/44,000A
• Weight: 3.89 pounds

3.Progressive Industries Electrical Protector

 

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Key Features:

• Small and portable.
• 1,790 Joules of surge protection for 30-amp 120V system.
• Additional faulty wiring indicator.
• UL certified.

Another great product made by Progressive Industries that has the same ratings as the last product in our review. But this product is the best portable RV surge protector as it is square, portable, small and light-weight. There are also other functional differences between this and the last product made by the same brand.

This portable surge protector has the same rating of 3-mode/1,790 J/44,000A surge protection for a 30-amp power supply. The secondary protections are also the same open neutral, open ground, and reverse polarity indication. The additional features are voltage fluctuation protection, A/C frequency protection, and accidental 240V protection. There is also a surge failure indicator.

Though the last product is not UL certified, this one is. The certification gives it an edge over the last one. There is also a small digital display that will provide information about the voltage, amperage, AC frequency, and errors.

Technical Specifications:

• Current rating: 30 amp
• Voltage rating: 120V
• Surge Protection: 3-mode/1,790 J/44,000A
• Weight: 3 pounds

4.Surge Guard Hardwire Model

 

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Key Features:

• 3,850 Joules power surge protection for 50-amp supply.
• Automatic reconnect feature.
• Additional A/C compressor protection.
• Easy to install (for a permanent model).

This is the best 50-amp RV surge protector from our reviewed products. So, if you have a 50-amp electrical system then we highly recommend using this product. It will provide 3,850 Joules of surge protection and automatically reconnect the power supply after the power surge.

The Surge Guard RV surge protector has a unique multi-mode surge suppressor and A/C compressor protection. The reset delay time is 128 seconds. The LCD indicators will tell you if there is a problem in the power source and the nanosecond response time will provide superior protection from any kind of power surges.

It is small and can be installed before or after the transfer switch. There is also an optional remote LCD display feature that will provide additional error information. It is comparatively easy to install. All these features make it a great product for a 50-amp electrical system.

Technical Specifications:

• Current rating: 50 amp
• Voltage rating: 120V
• Surge Protection: 3,850 Joules
• Weight: 5.5 pounds

5.Hughes Autoformer BX4370 Power Watch Dog 30 AMP Surge Protector (PWD30)

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Key Features:

• Universal fit.
• 2,400 Joules surge protection for 30-amp
• Easy-grip handles.

The Hughes Autoformer 30-amp RV surge protector is another great portable product and a universal fit. So, it is compatible with any electrical source plug. The easy-grip handles are uncomplicated in design and easier to connect with the power station.

The RV surge protector will provide 2,400 Joules of surge protection for 120V 30-amp electrical systems. It is also light-weight, and you can carry and install it anywhere as required. The power plugs are also weatherproof and water-resistant. So, it will provide protection even on a rainy day.

This is not an EMS surge protector, rather an entry-level surge protector. So, it doesn’t have any secondary error indicators and no reconnect feature. Under high voltage spikes and power surges, it will not automatically shut off the power supply. So, you can’t leave your RV unattended. The product is reusable under average voltage spikes. But under large spikes, you need to replace the spike module or it won’t work properly.

Technical Specifications:

• Current rating: 30 amp
• Voltage rating: 120V
• Surge Protection: 2,400 Joules
• Weight: 3 pounds

6.Surge Guard Entry Level Portable Surge Protector

 

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Key Features:

• Lowest price.
• 2,100 Joules surge protection for 30-amp
• Indicators show power status.
• Detects faulty power plug.

The Surge Guard Entry Level RV surge protector is another entry-level product that can be labeled as the best budget RV surge protector. Although it is not an EMS-based surge protector, it has secondary protection like faulty wiring and power plug detection, it verifies pedestal power and has LED light indicators.

The surge protector will provide 2,100 Joules of surge protection. It will also analyze the circuit and indicate if it is compatible with your RV. It also has an open ground, open neutral, and reverse polarity indicator. But there is no power supply monitor option like EMS based RV surge protectors or a reconnect feature after power surge.

All in all, this device has a number of secondary features that are normally absent in an entry-level RV surge protector. All these features and the best budget label make it an exquisite product for entry-level RV surge protectors.

Technical Specifications:

• Current rating: 30 amp
• Voltage rating: 120V
• Surge Protection: 2,100 Joules
• Weight: 3 pounds

7.Southwire 34930 30A Portable RV Surge Guard

 

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Key Features:

• Universal fit for 3,600-watt power supply.
• LCD display shows all the electrical information.
• Provides 2,450 Joules of surge protection.
• Provides additional protection for A/C compressors.

This may be your preferred RV surge protector if you want continuous monitoring of voltage, amp, RMS, and wattage of the power supply. This is a great RV surge protector with the best LED display system. The display will also show any present and past error information about power surges, voltage spikes, wiring faults, etc.

The RV surge protector has a 10-second power-up sequence and 128 second reset delay time that provides protection for your RV’s air conditioning system. It will provide surge protection up to 2,450 Joules. There is also an additional anti-theft lock, so no risk of looting. The multi-mode surge protection and automatic reconnect feature also provides superior protection for your RV.

The state-of-the-art LED display is a great feature to have on an RV surge protector. You can predict power supply abnormalities using it and take precautionary measures in advance.

Technical Specifications:

• Current rating: 30 amp
• Voltage rating: 120V
• Surge Protection: 2,450 Joules
• Weight: 3.39 pounds

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Best RV Surge Protector – Buyer’s Guide

Now that you have gone through all our reviewed RV surge protectors, we will help you to select the most suitable one for you. But first, you need to know some necessary information about RV surge protectors.

What Will You Achieve by Buying an RV Surge Protector?

A camping site power station may be subject to many harmful electrical problems. As they are not often well-maintained, power surges and voltage fluctuation are common occurrences. Without any protection, it can fry your RV’s electrical system. Also, using faulty equipment may overload your electrical system. An RV surge protector will provide protection against all these unwanted types of damage.

If you are camping out on a stormy day, lightning can cause unwanted high voltage spikes. If your campsite power supply has incorrect wiring, it can also short circuit the electrical system and cause permanent damage. And on a busy day, if there is a power supply shortage, the voltage will also probably be low. All these and many other electrical issues can cause permanent damage to your RV.

Repairing an RV’s electrical system is a costly and tedious task. So, to prevent these damages you can take precautionary measures by installing an RV surge protector. All the products reviewed in our article are made to provide the best protection for your RV.

How to Select the Best RV Surge Protector?

Selecting the best and most appropriate RV surge protector for your RV may depend on many key points and features. Continue reading our article and you can choose the best RV surge protector for yourself.

RV Surge Protector Rating

Selecting an RV surge protector mostly depends on whether the specification is compatible with your RV. Depending on the power supply of your RV, you may need a 30-amp or 50-amp surge protector. For 30-amp, our best product is the Camco Power Grip Voltage Protector. And for 50-amp, choose the Surge Guard Hardwire Model if possible.

The Voltage rating is also an important specification to look out for. All the reviewed products in our article are for a 120V electrical system. If your RV has a 240V system, then you need to choose another category of product.

The Joules rating is the protection that an RV surge protector will provide in case of a power surge. So, if power surges spike beyond the Joules rating of the device, then it won’t do any good in protecting your RV. We recommend selecting a product that has the highest Joules rating. For the 30-amp system, we have the Camco Power Grip Voltage Protector which is the best overall product and has the highest Joules rating of 2,800 Joules.

Types of RV Surge Protectors

There are mainly two types of RV surge protectors: EMS (Electrical Management System) and entry-level surge protector. An entry-level surge protector is directly hooked between the power supply and the RV’s electrical system. It will provide protection from power surges and voltage fluctuations only. It won’t show any additional error messages. They also come in cheap.

Our best entry-level surge protector is the Surge Guard Entry Level Portable Surge Protector, which is also the best budget selection.

To get more information about the power supply and get more protection features than an entry-level surge protector, you should buy an EMS surge protector. This type will provide secondary protection like faulty wiring detection, open ground and open neutral indication, and reverse polarity detection, etc. But they are not as easy to install or as cheap as an entry-level surge protector.

For an EMS surge protector, we recommend choosing the Camco Power Grip Voltage Protector.

Secondary Protection

Most EMS surge protectors have extra features like open ground, open neutral, reverse polarity detection, automatic disconnect/reconnect feature, etc. All of these are considered secondary protection but are great to have on your RV surge protector. Besides, most of the campsite power stations are not well maintained and there may be faulty wiring. For such cases, you can make advance preparation by detecting the electrical circuit problem.

Many RV surge protectors also have an LED display to show information about the power supply. They will also show you the error during a power surge. We will always encourage you to buy an RV surge protector with this feature as they provide superior protection.

If you are looking for an RV surge protector with the best-LED display then try the Southwire 34930 30A Portable RV Surge Guard.

Price

In selecting the best product for you, the price is an important factor. If you want to get a high-quality, full-service product, you surely have to spend more money. Thus, the EMS RV surge protectors are more costly than the entry-level surge protectors. Normally, they are well over $200, while the entry-level ones are below $100.

If you are on a budget, then we recommend choosing the Surge Guard Entry Level Portable Surge Protector. And for the best budget EMS surge protector you should buy the Progressive Industries Electrical Protector. It is also the best portable RV surge protector in our review.

Final Thoughts

Installing an RV surge protector is a great way to protect your RV from any electrical damage. We have reviewed the best RV surge protector you will find on the market, and now it is your turn to choose the most suitable one according to the specifications.

We will confidently say that all these RV surge protectors will provide perfect protection and keep your RV safe and sound.

Don’t know why the writer says “very easy to install.” This model needs to be permanently installed in the RV and hardwired. Compared to previous models that you just plug into the outlet, it’s not easier. It may be easy for a permanent model, i.e. compared to other permanent models…