You have been waiting for months for your holiday. Work is all finished and the RV is all packed up. Your route is all set out and you hit the open road. The first stop is a new campsite. Before moving on, let me mention you should get the Best Surge Protector for your 30 amp RV.
Why? You’ve arrived at the campsite and when you plug in your RV to the hookup, all of a sudden disaster strikes. Maybe the wires were faulty or too many RVers were powering up.
Either way, your motor, and your appliances are now damaged. In such situations, a surge protector can help. You want to avoid such a dreadful situation.
And even if they are working, that doesn’t mean they haven’t taken damage. That damage will shorten their lifespan.
To know more about that and the other products, please keep reading.
In a hurry? Here’s our best tip:
Get the Progressive Industries HW30C. It has good safety protections, a remote display and it’s great value for money.
Best RV Surge Protector 30 amp
If you have an RV or you are thinking about buying one, you need to consider buying a surge protector. Power surges or power spikes can happen during lightning strikes or power cuts.
A surge protector will protect your RV in such cases. Without a surge protector, there’s the potential for high expenses. Even if all the equipment keeps working, their lifespan will be compromised.
These products work by taking the excess power and sending it through to the ground. This is a way of blocking dangerous amounts of electrical current. Using a surge protector is strongly recommended because it can also save you tons of money.
There are two main types of surge protectors. One is a standard surge protector which blocks additional power. They often come with an LED indicator light which indicates problems. The second type is a surge protector with an EMS (electrical management system) which monitors the voltage
Let’s look at our selection of the best Surge Protectors for RV (30 amp). We will look at the features of each one and we’ll talk about the pros and cons.
Product Comparison Table
This table helps to compare the various products in this review:
| Product Name | Surge Protector or EMS | Hardwired or Portable | Diagnostic Abilities | Polarity Check | Joule Rating | UL Certified | Locks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camco Power Defender | Surge protector | Portable | open ground, open neutral, ground reverse | Yes | 1050j | No | No |
| Progressive Industries SSP-30XL | Surge protector | Portable | open ground, open neutral | Yes | 825j | Yes | Yes |
| Surge Guard 44280 | Surge Protector | Portable | open ground, open neutral, ground reverse | Yes | 2100j | Yes | No |
| Camco Heavy-duty Dogbone Surge Protector | Surge Protector | Portable | open ground, open neutral, ground reverse | Yes | 2100j | No | No |
| Progressive Industries PT30X | Surge protector with EMS | Portable | open ground, open neutral, high/low voltage | Yes | 1790j | No | Yes |
| Southwire Surge Guard 35530 | Surge Protector | Hardwire | open ground, neutral ground, high/low voltage | Yes | 2450j | Yes | N/A |
| Stag | Surge protector with EMS | Hardwire | open ground, neutral ground, high/low voltage | Yes | 450j | No | N/A |
| Progressive Industries HW30C | Surge protector with EMS | Hardwire | open ground, neutral ground, high/low voltage | Yes | 1790j | Yes | N/A |
Table of Contents
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Camco Power Defender
Key features:
- LED light indicators
- Polarity check
- 1050-joule protection
This is a very basic and economic surge protector because it plugs straight into the Hookup. The RV then plugs straight into the surge protector.
There are no cables and the surge protector is just 1lb (450g). It would be difficult to leave it behind because of its handy bright yellow color.
The LED lights show all the safety issues it should. It has the ground, neutral and hot light for each of the three conductors. This indicates wiring issues because when the Correct Wiring light is on, you know you can plug in your RV.
It is water-resistant. At first, the indicators seem a little complicated.
It has 1050-joule protection. This is not as high as we would like to see but there are lower ones on the market.
It is the lowest price of the 8 we are going to review. For the price, we can’t complain.
Pros:
- Excellent price
- All necessary protection included
- Contoured plug for easy removal
Cons:
- No UL listing
- Unreliable water-resistance
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Progressive Industries SSP-30XL
Key features:
- LED light indicators
- Polarity check
- 825-joule protection
- Smart Plug and Play
Progressive Industries is a leading brand in surge protectors for RVs. Unfortunately, this model is slightly misleading. It is not a surge protector.
It only indicates if there is a problem. Even their website is a little confusing. The SSP-30XL offers 825j surge suppression but no protection.
Its LED lights show any faults with open ground and open neutral. There’s a polarity check feature and lights to show faulty wiring. Two huge advantages of this surge protector are the UL listing and the lifetime warranty.
It is a Smart surge protector. You need to download the ‘Plug and Play’ app, and you can control the surge protector from it. This is a useful feature because you can turn devices on and off and you are notified when there are changes.
The SPP-30XL is weather-resistant and comes with a waterproof cover. It is strange that the joule protection is so low, especially considering the brand name. The other negative is that it is a bit bulky.
Pros:
- The plastic cover keeps it dry
- Rugged handle for easy unplugging
- UL listed
- Lifetime warranty
- Indicates faults
Cons:
- Incorrectly advertised as a surge protector
- Doesn’t block power surge
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Surge Guard 44280
Key features:
- LED light indicators
- Polarity check
- 2100-joule protection
- The thermal sensor indicates overheating
Surge Guard is a lightweight surge protector. The light indicators are easy to understand they can show you open ground, open neutral, and ground neutral.
For surge protection and overheating it even explains if the light should be on or off. We particularly like the overheat warning because it can prevent fires.
This surge protector is water-resistant. There is a rainproof cover that covers the outlet but it doesn’t go over the whole surge protector.
The plug is fitted with a drop-down finger grip so you can pull the plug out easily. It is nice to see a surge protector with high joules protection. 2100j is a good level of protection.
It is UL listed, which means it has passed all the safety tests. Overall, it’s a well-priced surge protector.
Pros:
- Clear LED light indicators
- Excellent protection
- Includes 1-year warranty
Cons:
- Dim Lights
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Camco Heavy-duty Dogbone RV Circuit Analyzer
Key features:
- LED light indicators
- Polarity check
- 2100-joule protection
- Dogbone style with a power grip handle
The dogbone surge protector from Camco has several improvements to the plug version. In terms of safety, it is the same. With the light indicators, you can be shown open ground, open neutral and ground reverse. The same faulty wiring indicator is included. An extra surge protection indicator light is also included.
We like the design! It has nice bright-yellow features so you won’t leave it at the camp. The big built-in handle makes it easy and safe to remove. This unit is water-resistant and can withstand adverse weather.
The real advantage is the higher joule protection. 2100j is double the smaller version. It is not a lot more expensive than the Power Defender and cheaper than leading brands.
Pros:
- Great value for money
- Good protection and safety features.
- Resets itself after a power surge
Cons:
- Not UL listed
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Progressive Industries PT30X Surge Protector with EMS
Key features:
- LED light indicators
- Polarity check
- EMS protection
- 1790-joule protection
This version of Progressive Industries Surge Protector is actually a surge protector! This one is listed as one of the best Best Surge Protectors for RV 30 amp. Protection features include open ground, open neutral, and a polarity check. A surge failure indicator and a faulty wiring indicator are included. The difference is the EMS (electrical management system).
This protects your RV and appliances from high and low voltage. When the surge protector is plugged in, the voltage will appear on a digital display.
The design is similar to the SSP-30XL. It is water-resistant with a plastic water shield. You can lock it for extra peace of mind and it has a rugged handle. This one is quite heavy at 4.2lbs (1.9kg) and a bit bulky.
The Progressive Industry EMS still only has 1790 joules of protection. It is enough, but considering the money you are about to spend, it would be nice to see more. Also, it is not UL listed, unlike its other model.
Pros:
- Ability to check voltage
- Includes lifetime warranty
Cons:
- High-priced model
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Southwire Surge Guard 35530
Key features:
- LED light indicators
- Voltage protection
- Permanently mounted into RV
- 2450-joule protection
This is a hardwire surge protector. It is permanently mounted into the RV. If you are not experienced you will need professional help. It would be difficult for envious campers to steal this surge protector.
This model protects against the same as the other surge protectors. No EMS for this one, but it will state if the voltage is too high or too low. If you want to see the actual voltage you need to buy an LCD monitor (Part number 40300).
The LED light indicators are a bit basic. It detects a range of many different problems. There are only 4 lights; a power light, a light to show any wiring issues, and a surge protection light. There’s an extra light that flashes as a warning.
Hardwire surge protectors are more expensive than portable ones. That being said, this is well-priced. It is UL Listed, automatically resets itself, and functions with plug and play.
Pros:
- Lifetime warranty
- Connected equipment warranty
- Excellent protection
- Protection for the AC compressor
Cons:
- Indicator lights are not specific
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Stag RV Trailer Camper EMS
Key features:
- Polarity Protection
- Hardwired
- EMS automatic disconnection
- 450-joule protection
- CPU-controlled with a fail-safe jumper wire
The Stag surge protector is mounted in the RV, keeping it safe from the weather and thieves. There are no LED lights but there is an integrated LCD display that shows you the voltage supply.
The display also indicates error codes. There is a surge indicator to let you know your RV is protected.
The whole surge protector is controlled by a state-of-the-art microprocessor. This makes it highly effective.
The EMS will automatically shut down the power supply if it rises above 132v or below 104v. It has a time delay (136 seconds) and then it will automatically reset.
We feel that the price is very suitable. It might not have as many flashing lights as others but it does the job with modern technology. It is a shame it isn’t UL listed.
Pros:
- Auto shut-down to prevent damage
- Modern technology
- Includes 3-year warranty
Cons:
- 450-joules protection is not enough
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Progressive Industries HW30C
Key features:
- Open ground, neutral ground, and reverse polarity Protection
- Hardwired and EMS protection
- 136-second delay
- 1790-joule protection
The HW30C protects against the open ground, neutral ground, and polarity check. It has a faulty wire indicator and a surge failure indicator. Although the time delay is set at 136 seconds, it can be adjusted.
The most useful thing about this surge protector is the Remote LCD Display. It can be put in a place that is easy for you to access. The display shows you the voltage amount and code errors. This lets you know exactly where the problem is.
Compared to some of the other Progressive Industry surge protectors, this one is a good value for money. It is lightweight and compact. It has all the protection features, UL listed, and a lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Good safety protection
- Remote LCD display
- Controlled by a modern CPU
Cons:
- None
Wrap-up
First of all, let’s look at the brand Progressive Industries. This is probably one of the best products for 30 amps RV. It wasn’t until we got the hardwired, EMS model that we started to get impressed.
It covers all the safety features we like to see and the price is good. The SSP-30XL and the PT30X are both on the pricey side. The SSP-30XL doesn’t protect against power surges.
The PT30X isn’t even UL listed! It would’ve been better if they came with higher joule protection. If you are looking for a hardwired surge protector with low/high voltage protection, this is probably your best option.
If you are looking for a portable surge protector, we really liked the Camco Heavy-duty Dogbone Surge protector. It has the same safety features as Progressive Industries.
Above all, it’s a good option because of the lower price and higher joules. The design is great and it is one of the best at this price. The power grip handle is a nice touch that makes it easier to plug in and take out. A great buy for RV owners!
Check out our other resources
Now that you know the features to look for, check out the best products in our other related articles:
- 50 amp RV Best Surge Protector
- Why Do I Need A Surge Protector For My RV?
- Best Surge Protectors for Travel Trailers (Buying Guide)
And also, take a look at our other reviews on Surge Protectors
