This is my latest review of some of the best RV 30 amp surge protectors.
An RV surge protector is definitely something I would consider a necessity when plugging into any shore power source.
The Southwire 34930 30 Amp RV surge protector would be my recommendation.
Although shore power faults aren’t commonplace, unfortunately, they do happen. To safeguard against possible costly electrical damage to your RV (and anything plugged into it), investing in a good quality surge protector should be a high priority.
Contents
🏆 Best Overall
Best Hard Wired
Best Budget
What Exactly Is A Surge Protector?
A surge protector is a device designed to shield electronic devices from surges of electrical current. A surge protector is essentially a barrier that diverts excess electrical current away from any appliances or gadgets connected at the time, preventing overload and damage to sensitive circuitry in your equipment.
Do I Really Need One?
When it comes to protecting your electrical equipment in an RV, there is more to protect against than just power surges.
In reality, power surges are relatively rare, high and low voltage conditions are more common. Open neutral, open ground, reverse polarity, miswired pedestals and frequency issues are all conditions that can cause electrical damage in your camper.
Although it’s possible to buy a stand alone RV surge protector, most devices available are what is known as an EMS system with surge protection.
Best RV 30 Amp Surge Protectors
- Southwire 34930 30 Amp Surge Guard – Best Overall
- Progressive Industries EMS PT30X – Choice #2
- Hughes Power Watchdog PWD30 Bluetooth – Choice #3
- Southwire 44261S Portable RV Surge Protector – Choice #4
- Carmtek RV Surge Protector 30 Amp – Best Budget
- Progressive Industries Hardwired EMS-HW30C RV Surge Protector – Best Hard Wired
- Southwire Surge Guard 35530 Hardwired – Hard Wired Choice #2
Southwire 34930 30 Amp Surge Guard
⭐️Best Overall
The Southwire Surge Guard 34930 is what I consider to be the best 30A portable EMS surge protector. This device is a total electrical protection system.
It is a rugged unit, very well made with a security locking ring for theft prevention.
Unique to this series of Surge Guard, the unit will also provide “load side” protection. (Load side refers to anything on the RV side of the shore power source).
This unit also has a hefty 2450 joule rating, which is more than enough to cope with almost any size power spike or surge.
The Surge Guard 34930 comes with a lifetime warranty from the reputable manufacturers, Southwire. This warranty also covers “connected equipment”, which means all electrical equipment in your RV is covered too.
An excellent choice as a complete EMS system for your RV.
Pros
High Joule Rating
Good Build Quality
Lifetime Warranty
Cons
Plug Cover Design
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Joules Rating: 2450
Once plugged in to shore power, the unit will take only 10 seconds to conduct a full fault analysis on the power source before connecting you. (most average 120 seconds)
The unit has an LCD display which provides constant monitoring of voltage and the amount of amps being drawn.
The EMS will automatically cut off supply if the incoming voltage fluctuates too high (132v) or too low (103v).
Progressive Industries EMS PT30X
⭐️Choice #2
The Progressive Industries EMS PT30X is another great choice as a portable EMS surge protector. It will protect you from all shore power electrical faults.
Made in the USA, It’s a very well made, heavy duty device from a well known manufacturer.
Designed to be in the elements, the unit is extremely water resistant with a snap shut clear cover for your RV plug. On the cord at the top is a lock ring where you could use a bike lock or chain to secure the device from theft.
You will only ever need to buy this device once, as it has a lifetime warranty.
Overall, a great choice as a portable surge protector for your camper.
Pros
Highly Water Resistant
Lifetime Warranty
Lock Ring
Cons
Small Weathershield
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Joules Rating: 1790
On first plug in to shore power the device will run a pre-test for potential issues before connecting you.
The LCD display will then cycle through voltage condition, amps being used and hertz. If the device detects a fault it will display an error code. For easy access all the error codes are printed on the side of the unit so you don’t have to look them up.
Hughes Power Watchdog PWD30 Bluetooth
⭐️Choice #3
The Power Watchdog PWD30 from Hughes combines EMS protection with the latest Bluetooth technology.
It‘s a heavy duty device made to be weatherproof and has a lock ring to attach a security cable or chain.
One of the great things about the Watchdog PWD30 is the Bluetooth feature. Once you have downloaded and set up the Watchdog app on your phone, you will be able to see real time information from the surge protector. As well as being able to view volts, watts and amps, you will receive a notification about any issues and the relevant error code.
The Watchdog PWD30 is a great EMS system with added Bluetooth connectivity.
Pros
Bluetooth / Phone App
High Joule Rating
Lock Ring
Cons
Waterproofing
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Joules Rating: 3000
When you first plug in the device, it will run a diagnostic to look for potential issues, and then the trademark watchdog face will illuminate white and connect to the power source. If the unit finds any issues it won’t connect and the watchdog face will illuminate red.
When running, the LCD display will show volts, watts and amps, and should there be any issues it will show an error code. For convenience, an error code chart is printed on the side of the unit. Any major faults will trigger the Emergency Power Off (EPO).
Southwire 44261S Portable RV Surge Protector
⭐️Choice #4
Advertised as an entry level portable surge protector, the Southwire Surge Guard 442616 is a more basic EMS system, but nonetheless does what it’s supposed to do.
The unit features easy pull rigid handles on the male and female plugs and is fully weather resistant. Unfortunately there is no security lock ring.
Instead of an LCD display the unit has an array of LED lights which light up red and green according to different fault conditions. The unit will recognize faults such as open neutral, open ground, reverse polarity and power surges. It does have a very good joule rating of 2100, so will definitely do the job it was designed for.
Although the Surge Guard 44261S is a little more basic than the previous three reviewed, it does come with a limited lifetime warranty and will do a decent job of electrical protection for your RV.
Pros
Weatherproof
Good Joule Rating
Cons
No Lock Ring
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Joules Rating: 2100
The unit features easy pull rigid handles on the male and female plugs and is fully weather resistant. Unfortunately there is no security lock ring.
Carmtek RV Surge Protector 30 Amp
⭐️Best Budget Portable Surge Protector
The Carmtek 30 Amp Surge Protector is my budget EMS/surge protector choice.
For a budget option the Carmtek surge protector is a well made weatherproof device with strong grip handles for the unit’s male and female plugs.
As with the Southwire 44261S, this unit features an LED light warning system rather than an LCD display. . The unit also has a good surge protection rating of 2100 joules. The great thing about the Carmtek display LEDs is that they are very bright, and can easily be seen from a distance.
The device comes with good clear instructions, and Carmtek is well known for their excellent customer service.
Overall the Carmtek is a good budget option for RV electrical fault protection.
Pros
Good Joule Rating
Weatherproof
Great Customer Service
Cons
Basic
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Joules Rating: 2100
On the initial plug in, the Carmtek will monitor for faulty wiring at the plug at the shore power source, and then give a green light for connection to your camper. There are also LED warning lights for open ground, open neutral and reverse polarity.
Progressive Industries Hardwired EMS-HW30C RV Surge Protector
⭐️Best Hard Wired 30 Amp Surge Protector
The Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C is my first choice as a hardwired RV surge protector.
The EMS- HW30C will protect against open ground, open neutral, reverse polarity, frequency fluctuations and miswired pedestal issues.
An error code will be displayed on the remote display unit should there be any issues. All the error codes and a wiring diagram can be found in the instruction manual.
The unit is UL certified and Canadian approved, and also comes with a Progressive Industries lifetime warranty.
If you are confident in your abilities, you can find an installation video for the unit here.
And an installation video for the remote display can be found here.
In my opinion, the EMS-HW30C is the best hardwired surge protector for your RV.
Pros
Excellent Protection
Optional Remote
UL Certified
Cons
Needs Installation
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Joules Rating: 1790
The unit measures 9”W x 5”H x 5”D so could be installed almost anywhere. It also features a remote scrolling display with a 14ft cable.
The display can be mounted in a convenient spot inside your camper and will give you a real time view of volts and amps being used.
In case of EMS failure there is a bypass switch on the display which will allow AC power to your RV, but you still be protected from power surges.
Southwire Surge Guard 35530 Hardwired
⭐️Hard Wired Choice #2
The Southwire Surge Guard 35530 is another good hard wired option for your RV.
The unit offers complete electrical protection and will protect your RV against all common power faults.
The unit itself has an LED light warning system on the front, but to get the full benefit of this unit you will need the Surge Guard remote display monitor, which is an optional extra.
The display will also give the relevant error code for any faults detected.
The Surge Guard 35530 is a very good unit from Southwire. They have over 50 years manufacturing experience in the electrical industry, and offer a limited lifetime warranty.
Pros
Optional Dislay Monitor
Good Joule Rating
Cons
Audible Hum From Unit
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Joules Rating: 2450
The remote monitor has 50 ft of cable for mounting anywhere in your RV, and the LCD display will give you a real time readout of voltage and amps used.
The unit measures approx. 11”L x 5”W x 4”D and protects against open ground, open neutral, high and low voltage, reverse polarity and also faulty wiring at park pedestals.
RV Surge Protectors With EMS
An Electrical Management System (EMS) is definitely something you should be looking for when picking out an RV surge protector. A surge protector on its own will only protect against sudden power spikes.
Good quality “surge protectors” will be an EMS system, both portable and hard wired alike.
An EMS is a comprehensive system designed to protect against more than just power surges.
So what will an EMS do?
Power Delay
Most good EMS systems will have a power delay feature. The EMS will delay the power supply until it has checked that the voltage and frequency is at the correct level.
Open Ground And Reverse Polarity
EMS systems will monitor for open ground and reverse polarity. These types of issues can cause damage in RV components.
Voltage Monitoring
The EMS will protect your RV appliances and electrical devices if the incoming voltage goes too high or too low.
Frequency Monitoring
Electrical current in the US has a frequency wave of 60 Hertz (Hz). Any fluctuations in this frequency can cause electrical damage. An EMS will protect against this.
Automatic Shut Off
An EMS will automatically shut off the power supply if it detects any major electrical issues. Manufacturers sometimes refer to this as EPO (Emergency Power Off).
Surge Protection
Surge protection is included in EMS systems, giving protection from sudden voltage spikes.
Hard Wired EMS Surge Protectors vs Portable EMS RV Surge Protectors
There are two types of RV surge protector – hard wired and portable. Both have their pros and cons.
Hard Wired Surge Protectors
The most obvious difference is price. Hard wired surge protectors are more expensive than portable versions. And unless you are confident (and competent) about installing a hard wired system you will have to factor in the cost of hiring a professional installer.
A hard wired system does, however, provide constant protection without the need to manually connect a device. There is also no chance of theft (unfortunately it happens).
Portable Surge Protectors
A portable surge protector is pretty versatile. You can use one with any RV where there is a shore power connection. Portable surge protectors are generally more affordable than their hard wired counterparts, that being said, it’s worth spending more for a good one. Should anything go wrong with your surge protector it’s a simple case of buying a replacement. Remembering to plug the surge protector in every time and securing it from theft are the main disadvantages.
What Is The Joules Rating On A Surge Protector?
Simply put, the higher a joules rating, the better your protection will be.
A joules rating on your surge protector is the maximum amount of energy the device can absorb before it malfunctions.
Some cheaper surge protectors offer very high joule ratings but way less in the way of comprehensive EMS protection.
Definitely factor in the joule rating of a surge protector, but make sure you are getting a good EMS system along with that high joule rating.
Plug In Sequence – Best Practice
For safety, best practice is to follow this sequence when plugging in a portable surge protector to shore power for the first time.
- Turn the breaker off at the power source.
- Plug in your surge protector.
- Turn the breaker on and let the surge protector run fault checks.
- Turn the breaker off.
- Plug your RV into the surge protector.
- Turn the breaker back on.
There are so many cheap options out there, it would be tempting to go for something that looks like it might do the job.
My advice would be to avoid falling into this trap. A good RV surge protector is worth a bit more investment. For peace of mind and the potential money it may save you, I would definitely invest in a reputable brand name surge protector.
My choice would be the Southwire 34930 30 Amp RV surge protector.
See how we test and rate products in our reviews here.
I hope you found this review useful. Please check out my other RV equipment reviews.
