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View Poll Results: Are you aware of the difference
I have a surge suppressor and thought it protected me from low/high voltage. 1 3.23%
I have an EMS and have always known the difference. 29 93.55%
I thought they were the same thing. This thread was educational. 1 3.23%
Voters: 31. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 07-25-2015, 06:04 AM   #1
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Surge suppresors vs EMS

There are two types of electric protection devices.

1. Surge suppressors
These devices provide some protection from extremely high voltage (1000+) short duration (micoseconds) spikes. They will not protect you from low voltage (less than 104V) or high voltage (more than 132V).

2. EMS (Electric Management System).
These devices provide the same protection as the surge suppressor does plus protection from low or high voltage. Most also provide a delayed power restoration in the event of a momentary power loss. This helps your air conditioner.

I have seen the term "surge protector" used in a generic sense far too many times. I was curious as to whether people understood the difference between the two devices.
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Old 07-25-2015, 06:17 AM   #2
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I have had both and the EMS is the best.
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Old 07-25-2015, 06:27 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by norty1 View Post
I have had both and the EMS is the best.
I have had both as well, I installed the Progressive EMS hardwired version in March. So far it's worked great. It hasn't shut me down for any reason but I like that I can monitor the voltage and amps.
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Old 07-25-2015, 07:03 AM   #4
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I'd like an EMS I can monitor from my phone or the Internet. I'll hold out and use surge suppression until there's a reliable solution that offers this feature. If it's important enough to pay $350+ and up, then it should have the ability to alert and monitor from any location.

ETA: Thinking about it further, I've created my own temperature control device using a networked raspberry Pi and Arduino controller. I could probably do something similar to monitor power from a hard wired EMS. I'll look in to it further and post more info if I come up with a solution.
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Old 07-25-2015, 09:43 AM   #5
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We just bought a Camco EMS. It was less than $100 more than the surge protector, so it seemed worth the extra cost.
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Old 07-26-2015, 04:23 AM   #6
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PT50C EMS here. I will NEVER hook up to shore power ANYWHERE without it. What do I do if it ever needs warranty service? I will hook up my spare brand new one that is still in the original box. As I said above "I will NEVER hook up to shore power ANYWHERE without it".

We had a direct lightning strike in the park again late yesterday with several rigs damaged. This is the second time in the past month. Can I say my EMS saved me? No I can't, but I certainly feel safer with it inline.
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Old 07-26-2015, 05:40 AM   #7
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I think part of the confusion is units such as "Surge Guard", even though they are power management are still are sold as surge protectors, so many newbies think they all operate the same.

I have always had the TRC unit.
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Old 07-26-2015, 07:14 AM   #8
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So Grumpy, you are saying that my TRC 44270 is a true EMS? I don't see that is monitors for low/high voltage. Nor does it have a timeout delay. It does monitor for improperly wired pedestals though.
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Old 07-26-2015, 07:20 AM   #9
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A TRC 44270 is NOT an EMS. It is only a surge suppressor. It can, however, detect mis-wiring.

The confusion here is "Surge Guard" is the manufacturers name.
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Old 07-26-2015, 07:33 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tnchuck100 View Post
A TRC 44270 is NOT an EMS. It is only a surge suppressor. It can, however, detect mis-wiring.

The confusion here is "Surge Guard" is the manufacturers name.
Didn't totally clarify what I meant...should have said "some of Surge Guard".....sorry.
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Old 07-26-2015, 08:00 AM   #11
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Got it! Thanks.
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Old 10-26-2015, 12:55 PM   #12
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Bump
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Old 10-26-2015, 01:28 PM   #13
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One of the very first things I did when I bought my trailer was install a progressive industry's hardwired ems.The only issue I've had is it doesn't like my Honda generators.They use a floating ground system and the ems detects it as a open ground.To use them I have to flip the switch on the display off or use a home made ground neutral bonding plug.I called progressive industry's they are the ones that told me how to build the plug.
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Old 10-26-2015, 02:16 PM   #14
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I had a 50a Surge Guard surge protector. When it went bad due to a lightning strike, I was told by the manufacturer that it is not repairable.

I bought a PT50c portable EMS and never looked back.
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Old 10-26-2015, 03:56 PM   #15
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I had a 50a Surge Guard surge protector. When it went bad due to a lightning strike, I was told by the manufacturer that it is not repairable.

Compare his experience with my twice destroyed Progressive Industries portable EMS.

First time may have been water penetration as it was fogged up, but that led to blown innards (technical term). The second time the male plug melted and shed the hot metal tab that inserts into the AC source (likely due to a bad campground plug).

They gladly repaired it both times. Great company.
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