Surge Protector Used When Home?

wooper

When parked in the driveway and plugged in using a 15a to 30a converter plug...is there a need to use my surge protector?  I guess it couldn't hurt, but is it suggested?

VictoriaP

Unless you have a whole house protector already covering that circuit, yes, you should use the one for the trailer. Same as plugging in any other electronics.

Bayliss

@wooper, I would, just to protect your camper and the electrical appliances in the event of a power surge.  Not much different than having a surge protector for sensitive electronics in your home (e.g., computer, television, etc.)  I suppose a lot of it depends on where you live (e.g., in a storm prone area where lightning could knock out power, excessive temperatures that may lead to brown-outs, etc.)  I have a hard-wired Progressive Industries EMS, so it is always connected.  If you are just using the power to keep your battery charged, there may be less of an issue, but there is still power going to your converter, etc..  I suppose that a concern you may have, depending on where you are plugging in for power at home, is whether the surge protector will be accessible for someone to steal.  They do sell locks to secure them, but you need something to secure it to.

I have never looked in to it, so I am unsure about it, but will the 30 amp surge protector work when connected to a 15 or 20 amp outlet?  I presume it will, but it might be worth a call to the manufacturer to find out.

Sharon_is_SAM

Just use a dogbone adapter for the 110 v outlet and then plug the surge protector into the adapter.  

wooper

Sharon...that's what I was going to do...just never seen it mentioned.

Sharon_is_SAM

That is what we do.  Always use the surge protector.

dragonsdofly

@wooper, we are plugged in to our home, 15 amp circuit. ALWAYS have the dogbone engaged!

JEB

I had an electrician run a dedicated 30A circuit to our garage to keep our trailer connected to shore power full time.  We always use a surge protector.  The risk is not so much the surge but rather the opposite—low voltage, particularly on very hot days when energy usage in the neighborhood is high.  The surge protector has cut the power multiple times over the years when voltage dropped too low to keep the trailer safely energized.  It’s cheap insurance. 

Sharon_is_SAM

Good point @JEB.  Also, not all surge protectors detect low voltage, so, in this case, you get what you pay for.

klenger

My surge protector is a full-function hard-wired EMS.  Being hard-wired and located inside the trailer (behind the fuse panel), it's always connected and always protecting, regardless of my power source (campground, home, generator).  I can't leave it behind and not likely to be stolen.