rv surge protection comparison guide

We have put together these comparison charts on RV Surge Protection devices available by Surge Guard, Camco and Progressive Industries. We have evaluated products from all 3 companies and found quality, functionality & reliability to be excellent by all three manufacturers. Products are grouped in 30 & 50 amp, portable & hardwired versions. These charts will give you a better understanding of the available functions each unit has relative to the price of the product.

12/29/16 UPDATE: We are going through and updating the comparison chart to the most accurate information to date. What you will find new is the addition of Progressive Industries EMS-PTX series of surge protectors. Progressive has made a push to update their portable units with weather resistant covers protecting your RV's power cord plug from inclement weather. We will also show whether a unit will shutdown the power for protection or just indicate the condition.

Please Note: specifications & prices are subject to change without notice, please use these charts as a reference only.

30 Amp Portable RV Surge Protection
Manufacturer Camco Camco SurgeGuard SurgeGuard SurgeGuard Progressive Industries Progressive Industries Progressive Industries
Surge Guard w/ Shock Shield, 120V/30A

Portable Surge Guard - 30 amp

Progressive Industries EMS-PT30X Portable RV Surge Protection 30 Amp

Progressive Industries Smart Surge 120Volt / 30Amp - In-line Model

Model 55301 55310 44740 44260 34830 EMS-PT30X SSP-30XL SSP 30
Hi/Low Voltage Shutdown 132 H / 102 L No No No 132 H / 102 L 132 H / 104 L No No
Open Neutral Indication Indication No Indication Shutdown Shutdown Indication Indication
Reverse Polarity Indication Indication No Indication Shutdown Shutdown Indication Indication
Ground Fault Indication Indication
Shutdown Indication Shutdown Shutdown Indication Indication
AC Frequency Shutdown No No
No No No Yes No No
Thermal Protection No No
No No Shutdown Shutdown Shutdown Shutdown
220 Volt Shutdown No No
No No Shutdown Shutdown No No
Mis-wired Pedestal Indication Indication
 No Indication Shutdown Shutdown Indication Indication
Surge Indication Yes No
No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Reverse Polarity Indication Indication
 No Indication Shutdown Shutdown Indication Indication
Remote Panel No No
 No No No No No No
Bypass Switch No No
 No No No No No No
Weather Resistant Case Only Case Only
Case Only Case Only Case Only Case & Connection Case & Connection Case Only
Time Delay (Seconds) 140 No
 No No 128 136 No No
Previous Error Indication No No
No No No Yes No No
UL Listed No No
No No No No Yes No
Cord Gauge 10/3 NA
 10/3 10/3 10/3 10/3 10/3 10/3
Surge (Joules) 2410 1050
 510 2100 2450 1790 825 825
Max Spike (Amps) 6,500 unknown
 1,250 6,500 6,500 44,000 22,500 22,500
Lockable No No No No Yes Yes Yes No
Country of Origin unknown unknown
 unknown unknown unknown USA USA USA
Warranty 1 Year 1 Year
1 Year 1 Year 1 Year Lifetime Lifetime Lifetime
Size 5.4" W

27.50"L

5.9" H

2.25" W

4.25"L

3.5" H

2.5" W

20.25"L

1.85" H

2.41" W

14.40" L

1.85" H

4.68" W

21.5" L

3.86" H

6.25" W

18.25" L

6.125" H

5" W

13.5" L

3" H

3" W

12" L

2.5" H

Display Indicators Lights Indicators Lights
Indicator Light Indicators Lights Volts/Amps + Indicators Volts/Amps W/ Error Codes Indicators Lights Indicators Lights
Approx Price $197.44 $48.99
 $64.56 $75.40 $224.11 $267.95 $99.95 $73.59

30 Amp Hardwired RV Surge Protection

Manufacturer SurgeGuard Progressive Industries Progressive Industries

Progressive Industries Energy Management System 120Volt / 30

Progressive Ind. 30 Amp Electrical Management system EMS-LCHW30C

Model 34520 EMS-HW30C EMS-LCH30
Hi/Low Voltage Shutdown 132 H / 102 L 132 H /104 L 132 H / 104 L
Open Neutral Shutdown Yes Yes Yes
Reverse Polarity Shutdown Yes  Yes Yes
Ground Fault Shutdown Yes Yes Yes
AC Frequency Shutdown No Yes Yes
Surge Protection Yes Yes Yes
220 Volt Shutdown Yes  Yes Yes
Mis-wired Pedestal Indication Yes Yes Yes
Surge Indication Yes Yes Yes
Reverse Polarity Indication Yes Yes Yes
Remote Panel Option Yes No
Bypass Switch No Yes Option
Weather Resistant No No No
Time Delay (Seconds) 128 15 or 136 15 or 136
Previous Error Indication With Optional Display Yes Yes
UL Listed Yes   Yes Yes
Trip Time 8-10 sec < 1 Nano sec < 1 Nano sec
Surge (Joules) 2450 1790 1790
Max Spike (Amps) 6,500 per MOV 44,000 44,000
Operating Power 120V / 30 A / 3600 W 120V / 30 A / 3600 W 120V / 30 A / 3600 W
Warranty 1 Year Lifetime Lifetime
Country of Origin unknown USA USA
Size 5.3" W

11.12"L

3.78" H

5" W

9.5" L

3.5" H

5" W

9.5" L

3.5" H

Display Volts/Amps + Indicators Volts/Amps W/ Error Codes Volts/Amps W/ Error Codes
Approx Price $196.92 $241.70 $208.46

50 Amp Portable RV Surge Protection

Manufacturer Camco SurgeGuard SurgeGuard Progressive Industries Progressive Industries Progressive Industries

Portable Surge Guard - 50 amp

Progressive Industries EMS 50amp Inline
Progressive Industries SSP-50XL Smart Surge 50 Amp Portable RV Protection

Progressive Industries Smart Surge 240Volt / 50Amp - In-line Model

Model Power Defender 55306 Entry Level 44270 34750 EMS-PT50C SSP-50XL SSP 50
Hi/Low Voltage Shutdown 132 H / 102 L No 132 H / 102 L 132 H / 104 L No No
Open Neutral Shutdown No No Yes Yes No No
Reverse Polarity Shutdown No No No Yes No No
Ground Fault Shutdown No No No Yes No No
AC Frequency Shutdown No No No Yes No No
Surge Protection Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
220 Volt Shutdown No No No Yes No No
Miswired Pedestal Indication Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Surge Indication No No No Yes Yes Yes
Reverse Polarity Indication Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Remote Panel No No No No No No
Bypass Switch No No No No No No
Weather Resistant Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Time Delay (Seconds) 140 No 135 136 No No
Previous Error Indication No No No Yes No No
UL Listed No No No No Yes No
Cord Gauge 6/4 6/4 6/4 6/4 6/4 6/4
Surge (Joules) 3850 4200 3850 3560 1650 1650
Max Spike (Amps) 6,500 6,500 6,500 88,000 45,000 45,000
Lockable No No Yes Yes Yes No
Warranty 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year Lifetime Lifetime Lifetime
Country of Origin - - - USA USA USA
Size 5.4" W

27.5" L

5.9" H

3.06" W

15.86" L

1.85" H

4.49" W

21" L

3.47" H

5" W

16.5" L

5" H

5" W

13.5" L

3" H

4.75" W

12.5" L

3" H

Display Indicators Lights Indicators Lights Volts/Amps + Indicators Volts/Amps W/ Error Codes Indicators Lights Indicators Lights
Approx Price $263.48 $91.82 $347.61 $348.11 $139.95 $110.36

50 Amp Hardwired RV Surge Protection

Manufacturer SurgeGuard SurgeGuard Progressive Progressive

Surge Guard Plus Power Monitor

Surge Guard Permanent Surge Protector 50 Amp

Progressive Industries Energy Management System 240Volt / 50 amp
Progressive Industries EMS 50amp Hardwired - EMS-LCHW50C
Model 40240 34560 EMS-HW50C EMS-LCH50C
Hi/Low Voltage Shutdown 132 H / 102 L 1132 H / 102 L 132 H / 104 L 132 H / 104 L
Open Neutral Shutdown Yes Yes Yes Yes
Reverse Polarity Shutdown Yes No Yes Yes
Ground Fault Shutdown Yes No Yes Yes
AC Frequency Shutdown Yes No Yes Yes
Surge Protection Yes Yes Yes Yes
220 Volt Shutdown No No Yes Yes
Miswired Pedestal Indication Yes Yes Yes Yes
Surge Indication No No Yes Yes
Reverse Polarity Indication Yes Yes Yes Yes
Remote Panel Yes Option Yes No
Bypass Switch Yes No Yes No
Weather Resistant No No No No
Time Delay (Seconds) 0 or 135 135 15 or 136 15 or 136
Previous Error Indication Yes No Yes Yes
UL Listed Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cord Gauge N/A N/A N/A N/A
Surge (Joules) 3350 3850 3580 3580
Max Spike (Amps) 130,000 36,000 88,000 88,000
Lockable No No No No
Warranty 1 Year 1 Year Lifetime Lifetime
Country of Origin - - USA USA
Size 5.84" W

15.25"L

5.27" H

4.67" W

11.39"L

4.93" H

5" W

9.5" L

4.5" H

5" W

9.5" L

4.5" H

Display Volts/Amps W/ Errors Volts/Amps + Indicators Volts/Amps W/ Error Codes Volts/Amps W/ Error Codes
Approx Price $470.43 $278.66 $326.87 $281.79

RV Surge Protection Comparison