RV Surge Protector VS EMS – Which is better?
When it comes to protecting your RV, which is better?
Both devices are intended for the protection against power surges it can’t handle, and both come in Portable and Hardwired solutions. They do have notable differences though and making sure you buy the right unit is essential. Otherwise, the cost to your possessions could rank in the thousands of dollars — and your insurance policy may not cover it.
RV Surge Protectors
When it comes to protecting your RV, which is better — RV Surge Protectors or RV Electronic Manage Systems (EMS)?
Both devices are intended for the protection against power surges it can’t handle, and both come in Portable and Hardwired solutions. They do have notable differences though, and making sure you buy the right unit is essential. Otherwise, the cost to your possessions could rank in the thousands of dollars — and your insurance policy may not cover it.
RV Power Systems — 30 Amp or 50 Amp?
Before we dig into it, it is worth mentioning that RV power systems come in both 30 Amp and 50 Amp varieties. No worries, though — there’s an easy way to tell them apart.
If the power plug for your RV has 4 prongs, it has a 50 Amp power system.
If the power plug has 3 prongs, however — it has a 30 Amp system.
The 30 Amp power plug may look familiar — dryer power plugs use the same design. Don’t be fooled though, plugging your RV into a dryer outlet will lead to disastrous consequences. They have different requirements, and it will likely cost you big bucks if you make this mistake.
Both RV Surge Protectors and RV Electronic Management Systems come in 30 Amp and 50 Amp varieties.
What is an RV Surge Protector?
An RV Surge Protector is a device that goes between your RV and a power source. It protects your RV against high voltage spikes and surges, as can be caused by lightning strikes.
Usually, RV Surge protectors come with user-friendly designs and are simple to operate even for beginners. Additionally, they often come either in the form of extension cables enabling easy access.
When you plug your RV into an external power source without a surge protector, you take a huge risk. A high voltage spike could fry your RV’s wiring, as well as any electronics, plugged up inside.
While some Surge Protectors do come with warning LEDs concerning various issues, they don’t do anything to stop these issues — so if the LED warning light stops functioning, your RV could be fried.
They don’t protect against everything, but they are affordably priced and should be the bare minimum you use to protect your RV. Check out the best RV surge protector reviews.
What is an RV Electronic Measurement System?
While very similar to RV Surge Protectors, an RV EMS is much broader in protection. This does push the price point up on these devices, as they have to be able to address more issues.
In addition to the High voltage surge protection offered by RV Surge Protectors, an RV EMS protects against the following:
- Power surges
- High voltage and low voltage
- Open Neutral Protection
- Open Ground Protection
- Accidental 220V Protection
- AC Frequency Protection
- Reverse Polarity Protection
Any one of these issues could destroy the wiring and electronics in your RV — but electronic management systems will protect you. While a Surge Protector may warn you about various issues with a power pedestal at a campground, it won’t prevent you from using that power.
An EMS is designed to cut off the power from the source, preventing damage to your RV.
Between the two, the EMS is the pricier option — but the protection it offers is worth it in every way.
Similarities between the two
Both are devices that come between your RV’s power systems. And they protect your RV’s power systems from high voltage power issues, which can save you money in the long run.
They both also come in portable and hard-wired varieties, which have their own advantages and disadvantages.
After that though, the similarities start to run out.
Differences between RV Surge Protectors and RV Electronic Management Systems
While they may seem like very similar devices, they’re more like an evolution of systems. RV Surge Protectors do protect your RV, it’s true — but only against a very limited route of damage.
Electronic Management Systems on the other hand, offer a much wider array of protection. They protect against low voltage issues, also known as brownouts, which can cause just as much damage as high voltage. And if the power source you plug into is unsafe for your RV, then the EMS will block the power right then and there — no worries.
The next difference is the price tag. A Surge Protector runs around $90 to $120 for a low priced portable one, while a portable EMS typically costs at least $250.
But the cost to rewire and replace all the electronics into your RV is likely to be even more expensive.
So, which should you choose?
We say EMS. While yes, the upfront price is heftier by not a small amount, it’s a small price to pay for protection.
An RV Surge Protector may protect you against lightning storms and other high voltage events — that’s not enough.
If too many people crowd a campground’s power systems, it can cause the voltage to run low. Not all surge protectors will protect against this. And since voltage can drop or surge at any time during use, just measuring beforehand won’t help you. And that’s not even mentioning the issues a power pedestal itself might suffer. Many campground pedestals aren’t maintained properly, and when they start having issues, it’s your recreational vehicle that suffers.
With the Coronavirus pandemic forcing people indoors, we see campgrounds into the future. Stick with an EMS for your recreational vehicle.
Portable vs Hard-Wired
Now that we’ve settled on EMS being the system that will better protect you — which option should you choose? They each have their advantages and disadvantages.
Portable EMS Pros
- Full protection from power-related issues
- No installation required
- Allows you to test power systems portably
- Many models come with built-in locking bracket
Portable EMS Cons
- Typically more expensive than hard-wired version
- More vulnerable to theft
Hard-Wired EMS Pros
- Usually cheaper than portable models
- Once installed, no more worrying
- Full protection from power related issues
- No worrying about theft
- Inside access for most models
Hard-Wired EMS Cons
- If you hire an installer, will cost extra
- You have to pull your RV up to a power pedestal to check it — no portability
Conclusion
To conclude, we think that a hard-wired EMS is the best case solution. While it may be a bit costlier with installation factored in, the simple fact remains that once it’s installed — you’re protected.
With the portable system, there’s always the small worry that it may be stolen, or that you might forget to plug it in before your RV. By removing this step, you’re doing the best you can feasibly do to protect your RV against power issues.
Either way, you decide to go through – we believe you should use an Electronic Management System over a Surge Protector. Better safe than sorry, especially with something so valuable.
RV EMS Management Systems
- DIMENSIONS: External size is 12.5 x 8.5 x 5 inch. Inner size is 12 x 7.4 x 3.9 inch. 6 entry ports: 2*side entry ports fit up to 10AWG/3C or Φ18mm cord. 4*front entry ports fit up to 12AWG/3C or Φ12mm cord.
- READ BEFORE PURCHASE: Each package only includes 1*outdoor electrical box. The power strip, surge protector, outdoor timer, extension cord and all other device are not included.
- Keep outdoor cord connection secure and protected. With the 4 clips, top lid, and rubber gaskets, this outdoor extension cord cover box is IP54 waterproof. Perfect to seal 10/12/14/16 gauge cord, braided cable and flat wire. Features with large space, good to protect your outdoor power strip, timer outlet plug, extension cord, large adapter.
- Easy to use, place the connection into the safety seal enclosure and clip the cord with the clamps. Simple to hang the box on any walls with the dual mounting holes.
- Ideal for a wide range of outdoor & indoor applications including wooden patio, lawn and garden power tools, Christmas holiday lighting, landscape decorations, pool pumps, fountains, fish ponds, patio heaters, hot tub, air conditioners, security cameras and more.
- Waterproof Tips: Do not place more than one cable in each port; Place the electrical box parallel to the ground, but do not place it vertically or obliquely; Do not submerge the box in water or bury it.
- 【0.27in Ultra Thin Flat Plug】 The ultra-thin plug can perfectly fit your wall outlet and be hidden behind furniture to save more space than the usual plug.
- 【9-in-1 USB-C Power Strip】 All-in-one power strip provides 6 widely spaced outlets, 2 USB-A ports, and 1 USB-C port, charging 9 devices simultaneously.
- 【Compact for Travel】 The 3-Side design makes our power strip only 1/3 the size and mass of others. It's compact and lightweight as a travel essential.
- 【Overload Protection】 The built-in circuit breaker cuts the power off when it exceeds the rated power to prevent overcurrent and overheating.
- 【Wall Mount Power Strip】 There are two mounting holes on the back of the power strip, which can be used to easily install the power strip on the wall.
- 【Versatile 10 in 1 Outlet Extender】- 4 usb charging ports, 5 wide spaced outlets, 3 side power stip provides large space and saves you another charger head space. 360°night light around makes it easy for you to see the outlets in dark corners or at night. With the removeable screw and the plastic prong, the multi plug outlet is firmly attach to your DUPLEX and DECOR outlets, and perfect for bedroom, dorm room etc
- 【Smart & Soft Night Light】- With the light sensor, the outlet extender will automatically turns on only when ambient lighting becomes dim. With sensitive touch sensor on the top logo, you could also choose to turn on/off the nightlight manually. The night light is soft, warm and does not dazzling, will not disturb to your sleep
- 【USB C Fast Charge & Wide Space】- 1.7 inches large space beetween 5 adapter outlets on the side which can easily fit for big head chargers. The 4 usb ports total 3.1A, and the USB C ports built in smart technolohy, can detect and charge your devices quickly, up to max 5V/3A,compatible with most type c devices.(NOTE: The UCB-C port doesn't support any other devices which need 14-22V charging voltage)
- 【Surge Protector Outlet】- This product is made of safe and reliable fireproof material and 3 level complementary Surge Protector Circuit, which can effectively provide protection for your equipment, with minimum 1050J energy absorbing capacity. ("SURGE PROTECTED" indicator light on to show your devices are protected)
- 【Super Safety & After Sale Service】- ETL Certified. This plug extender has overload protection, short-circuit protection, over current protection, over-voltage protection and overheating protection. It will automatically cut power to protect connected devices when voltage surge is overwhelming
- 【Extension Cord with Multiple Outlets】 9 in 1 design, which can charge 9 devices at the same time. 6 AC outlets(15A/1875W Max) are separated without blocking each other, accept the standard N American 2 or 3 prong flat pin plug. Suitable for most appliances like phones, laptops, hairdryers and more. A must have accessories for college dorm room, home, office, bedroom, kitchen and etc
- 【5 Ft Ultra Thin Flat Plug Extension Cord】With only 0.35 inch ultra thin plug and 45° right angle design, flat wall plug is much thinner than traditional plugs, and can be easily closed to the wall, hidden behind furniture, bed or refrigerator, saving space for your home. extension cord is made of pure copper, which has better current carrying capacity(15A). Not easy to deform, durable and more safety
- 【Power Strip with USB C Fast Charging Ports】Added extra 2 USB C ports for your devices, the USB C port can charge up to 5V/3A. Suitable for phones and tablets, deeply loved by users. USB A ports can charge up to 5V/2.4A Max. all USB Ports Output is 5V/3A, 15W max which is 30% faster than other power strip
- 【Cruise Accessories Must Haves & Travel Ready 】The slim cruise power strip with NO surge protection, it's absolutely a must have travel and cruise ship accessories as Cruise lines require that power strips DO NOT have Surge Protector. Compact and lightweight, easy to carry and best for travel
- 【Multiple Safety Protection & After Service】We have FCC, RoHS, ETL certificates. The USB C power strip has overload protection, over-voltage protection, short circuit protection, over-current protection and overheat protection. Fireproof PC shell with flame retardant at 1382℉ make it more durable and longer
- Desk power strip surge protector - ETL listed, this massive outlet expansion features 13 AC outlets and 4 usb charging ports(17w total usb output), which provide power and charging for up to 17 devices from a single wall outlet. Max. power: 1875w (125v~15a)
- 13 widely spaced AC outlets - Extra space in-between(38mm vs. 30mm on other power strips) can provide room for large plug adapters without blocking adjacent outlets. Easily plug in your PC, monitor, printer, TV, android box, echo & more
- Power strip flat plug - Made of 14AWG pure copper, the 5-foot extension cord is heavy-duty and has better current carrying capacity (15a). The low-profile space-saving 45° angled flat plug doesn’t block the bottom receptacle
- Wall mountable design - 4 screw-mounting tabs allow you to securely install this surge protector power strip in various applications, including the entertainment center, behind the TV, dorm room, guest room, garage, desktop, under desk/counters, workbenches, etc
- Safety assurance - It’s ETL listed, and made of the top-grade ul94 v-0 flame-retardant material. With 4000j surge protection, it safeguards your TV, computers, phones & office equipment from potentially damaging power disturbances, creating peace of mind
- Offers 6,100 Joules of advanced surge protection for your coach. It features advanced circuit analysis to shut off power in an emergency
- Wirelessly Monitor voltage, amperage, and wattage on your smartphone in real time using our free mobile app! Oldest and most reliable phone app in the business!
- Plug-n-Play ensures a minimal 4-second power-on analysis to determine if power conditions are safe, while other brands can take up to two minutes.
- Protect your applicances with a buil-in 90-second power-on delay after a fault is detected and resolved.
- Complete LED Park Power Diagnostics with wireless fault alerts ensure you are aware of any hazardous park power conditions.
- Portable RV Surge Protectors: GEARGO RV Surge Protectors are designed to identifies faulty power and offers 8000 Joules of surge protection. The adapter circuit analysis instrument is used to detect the connection error of the electric system with a grounded safety feature for your electronic equipment.
- Circuit Analyzer: This allows you to test the quality of your power before connecting your RV, by verifying if the power source is correctly wired and by helping detect most wiring faults. The 30A RV Circuit Analyzer Diagnostic Chart indicates the following faults: Correct Wiring, Open Ground, Open Neutral, Reverse Polarity, hot/Ground Reversed, and No Power.
- Safety Protection: FCC tested. V-1 flame-retardant materials and IP68 waterproof design make it extra safe to use. This Surge Protectors was designed with waterproof cover which protects the circuit from rain, wind, sandstorm. The sturdy cover is designed to reduce the risk of short circuit or fire.
- Easy to Use: The RV Surge Protector's plugs are designed with ergonomic power grip handles to safely and easily plug and unplug it, featuring a right-angle male connector to provide a reliable low-damage and low-bend interface with your power source.
- 3-Year Warranty: GEARGO aim is to provide HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCT & COMPLAINT-FREE CUSTOMER SERVICE. We provide 36 months warranty and after-sale customer service support to make you 100% satisfied. If you are not sure whether this is a 30A or 50A surge protectors, please let us know!
- Reliable Surge Protector Circuit: 3 level complementary Surge Protector Circuit which composed of TVS, MOV (metal oxide varistor), GDT (gas discharge tube), with minimum 2100J energy absorbing capacity, could protect your devices much more quickly and reliably than other 1 level MOV(metal oxide varistor) Surge Protection Circuits.
- Power Guard: Diagnostic LED, Open ground, Open neutral & reverse polarity detection, Miswired pedestal indication, Surge failure indicator. Designed for outdoor use, Weather resistant, All weather shield assembly.
- All Weather Resistant Design—— This Surge Protector was designed with waterproof cover which protects the circuit from rain, wind, sandstorm. The detail cover is a nice design to reduce risk of short circuit or fire
- Designed with Easy To Use Handles: Rugged Pull Handle, Locking Bracket, Tough Lexan Housing, Brighter 3-Color LED Indicators
- Best Value: Made of high quality rubber and pure copper material, the Surge Protector must be a great guard for your Rv. Eco-Friendly compact Package & Value itself. ZIKOPOMI pay all attention on product quality and safety! You will get what the best value paid for.
- ELECTRONIC SAFETY MAINTAINED: Ensure the safety of your Progressive Industries surge protector electronics with the 50 Amp RV surge protector by Progressive Industries. Its RV electric surge protector management system shields appliances from voltage fluctuations and surges, providing peace of mind during your travels.
- COST-EFFECTIVE RV SURGE PROTECTOR: Rated at 50A/120-240V/12,000W, the EMS-PT50X can absorb surges up to 3,580 joules., safeguarding your RV accessories from costly damage.
- ROBUST FAULT DETECTION DEVICE: Equipped with advanced fault detection capabilities, including over/under voltage, reverse polarity, and surge failure. Trust in its comprehensive protection for your RV's electrical system.
- DESIGNED FOR RV OUTDOOR SURGE PROTECTOR USE: Built to withstand the RV outdoor surge protector environments, this heavy-duty surge protector features an All Weather Shield assembly, thermal protection, and durable Lexan housing. Its usability in low-visibility conditions ensures reliable performance wherever you travel.
- USA-ENGINEERED HIGH-QUALITY SURGE PROTECTOR: Manufactured by Progressive Industries in the USA, this surge protector W/ portable power strip & fault detection reflects a commitment to excellence and durability.
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED - Be ready to respond to emergencies with over 300 first aid supplies for CPR, airway management, bruises, bumps, sprains, trauma, bleeding, bandaging, broken bones, cuts, scrapes, wound cleansing, burns, and more. This kit also includes useful tools such as a safety hammer, multi-tool card, whistle, safety pins, and a first aid manual.
- DURABLE & WELL-ORGANIZED - Constructed from indestructible 900D polyester, this gear bag is durable and sturdy. It features 4 thick, hard-wearing compartments, 4 easy-access pockets, 20 elastic webbing loops, and high-quality zippers, ensuring safe storage for all kinds of first aid gear, medical equipment, trauma supplies, and other life-saving tools.
- HIGHLY VISIBLE & EASY TO CARRY - 6 reflective strips make the bag easily identifiable even in low light. The MOLLE system is compatible with the shoulder strap and snap buckle. And the adjustable padded shoulder strap frees up your hands. The thickened rubber handles on top make it easy to carry for various outdoor activities. This medical bag is ready for home and outdoors emergency use.
- ANYWHERE, ANYTIME BE READY - Designed for professional EMTs, this comprehensive and premium wound care kit fits seamlessly into your car, RV, ATV, yacht, boat, jeep, cruise, or truck. It's ideal for various settings such as home, restaurant, workplace, school, dorm, special events, warehouse, or rescue squads.
- WHO ARE WE - RHINO RESCUE is a professional pre-hospital first aid & IFAK supplier. Based on the concept of fast, efficient and scientific transfer of emergency care, we continuously improve and innovate our products, providing premium first aid supplies to worldwide front-line emergency medical personnel. In the EMS specialty, we are your professional partner. Recently, RHINO RESCUE first aid supplies' packagings are being updated. All of the new packages are printed with the rhino's unique R label. Please understand that you may possibly receive old or new packaging.
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