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An RV surge protector can be a lifesaver, without a doubt. We will debate purchasing a Progressive Industries vs Surge Guard safety system. In this article, we will explore these two reputable surge protectors.
We will compare their features and declare a winner. Keep reading to see which brand rises to the top to keep your RV electric system safe.
Surge Guard vs Progressive Industries at a Glance
Surge protectors can keep your electrical system and RV protected during voltage spikes or surges in power lines. In some cases, spikes or surges could severely damage your RV and may even cause a fire.
Progressive Industries carries four portable RV smart surge protectors for 30 amp and 50 amp service. The smart models have a built-in surge status indicator that verifies everything works properly. The company also has two portable EMS (electrical management system) models with surge protection. They also carry hardwired EMS systems. EMS does more than just warn against surge protection; it also protects against low voltage, open ground, open neutral, and reverse polarity.
Southwire makes the Surge Guard RV surge protector. They sell varying portable and EMS models for 30 amp and 50 amp electrical service and two hardwired models.
Comparison
Let’s take a more detailed look at Progressive Industries vs. Surge Guard. These five features will help determine the best option.
Response Time
The surge protector response time determines how long your RV electrical system is exposed to a surge before shutting off power between the electrical post and your RV.
We recommended that any surge protector you use have a response time of less than one nanosecond. All of the Progressive Industries models have a response time of less than one nanosecond. This is extremely important because a three-second surge can cause massive damage to your RV.
The Surge Guard has surge suppression. For example, the automatic transfer switch models have a surge suppression from 2,450 Joules to 3,850 Joules.
A joule measures the energy released over a period of time. For example, a lightning strike may release about one billion joules over a fraction of a second. The joule rating tells you how much energy the surge protector can absorb before it fails. Meaning, the more joules it has, the more protection.
The Surge Guard only has 3,350 Joules of protection. In contrast, the Progressive Industries surge protectors all have less than one nanosecond response time. This stability gives Progressive Industries the upper hand in the response time category.
Warranty
You will want a warranty to protect your surge protector investment. Both brands have a fair warranty for the products they offer.
Progressive Industries provides a lifetime warranty. It covers the internal electronics as well as the parts and materials within the unit housing. They don’t cover damage to the outside of the unit, including the weather shield on some models. The warranty also doesn’t cover labor or shipping charges.
Southwire’s protection for Surge Guard models includes a limited lifetime warranty for particular models and a limited product warranty for others. The limited lifetime warranty does give you better coverage but only applies to certain models. Double-check which warranty a model falls into before purchasing.
Cost
Progressive Industries vs Surge Guard surge protectors prices compare online. You can find Progressive Industries 50 amp surge protectors on Amazon in the low $300 range and 30 amp for less than $100.
Surge Guard comes in a little higher. We found Surge Guard portable 50 amp models on Amazon for between $100 and $330. We found some models of the Surge Guard 30 amp for under $100. However, you’ll find the wireless communication versions over $250.
Weather Resistance
You may have unpredictable weather when you go RVing. You will want to protect your investment from weather damage, particularly when paying upwards of $300 on a surge protector.
Progressive Industries makes weather-resistant surge protectors. But they’ve taken four of their models one step further with an all-weather shield assembly. The shield gives an added layer of protection to a portion of the surge protector to help prolong its lifespan.
Surge Guard has labeled their products as weather-resistant but notes that this means rainproof. You shouldn’t submerge these products in water. None of their models have a weather shield-like Progressive Industries. This gives Progressive Industries the upper hand in product protection from the inevitable weather you’ll encounter while RVing.
Ease of Installation
Both brands come easy to install. You just have to plug them into the electrical pedestal and connect them to your RV electrical cord.
The Surge Guard model’s handles make it difficult to pull the surge protector out of an electrical pedestal. You can’t easily grab the handle under a power pedestal’s door. The Progressive Industries handle, while not much better, does gives you a little more to hold on to for plugging and unplugging.
Surge Guard vs Progressive Industries: The Winner
Drum roll, please! We have a winner!
Progressive Industries
After reviewing the features of both brands, Progressive Industries RV surge protectors came out on top. They stand out due to the product’s response time and all-weather shield assembly.
A surge protector invests in the safety of you and your RV. This product needs to perform well and have a long life. You will want a surge protector with less than a nanosecond response time as the Progressive Industries model offers. The added weather protection can make you feel all the more confident in the investment.
While Progressive Industries won in the Progressive Industries vs Surge Guard debate, either of these surge protectors work better than none. We want you to stay safe RVing and utilize the best tools and products out there. Surge protectors can save your RV and save lives. If you don’t have one yet, we highly recommend getting one before your next RV adventure. Safe travels!
