I want to install a hard wired power line monitor for over and under voltage protection.
Is there a life span to these units?
Do they lose there effectiveness with usage or age?
Are you picturing a 'surge' (mostly) device, like a home unit, or an actual power conditioner..?
Dave
A surge and under voltage detector that shuts down power in either condition.
A big enough surge in power could damage anything in the line including your EMS system or any surge protector. They are built with diodes and resistors and very quick acting semiconductor devices and, as such, they have a working limit when it comes to the conditions to which they are subjected.
Low power won't harm them. I would expect that the details could be found on the spec sheet.
They are generally designed to destroy themselves before letting a power surge get through. Which is why Progressive Electronics is so generous when it comes to rebuilding them. It's good customer service and word gets around.
Craig
I was thinking of aging out.
Like a breaker in a home electrical panel that gets tripped semi frequently, and then has weakened and needs to be replaced.
Not thinking of a direct hit by lightning, or a catastrophic event, more like every day use with the occasional fault discovery, and action, then reset cycle.
This is the hard wired version of the power protector of choice:
EMS-HW50C (http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems_hw50c.htm)
Many have installed this model themselves. Some have two units wired in.
This unit uses a heavy duty contactor relay and they do not lose their effectiveness with use or age. For longevity, think of the EMS being closer in design to a transfer switch than a circuit breaker.
Their life span is the life span of your coach. The unit is made in the USA, company answers their phone, all service is at no charge.
Warranty Information (http://www.progressiveindustries.net/warranty.htm)
This company is the best, send in an old unit and get back a fully rebuilt unit.
The internal part is mainly an easily removable circuit board that they will replace at no charge.
And the unit works great to protect against a wide range of campground or generator anomalies.
Including the dreaded under & over voltage that can happen at any time and just for a moment.
The little remote digital display monitor will keep you informed volts & amps for each line, & 60 cycles.
The unit also has a replaceable common surge protection board, that shows up on the right in the photo, circuit board on left & contactor on top. Other photo shows the control circuit board.
Barry, those are a decent little units, I have dealt with a couple of them as well.
Here is a better price though;
Progressive Industries Hardwired Surge Protector FOR RV EMS HW50C NEW IN BOX | (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Progressive-Industries-Hardwired-Surge-Protector-for-RV-EMS-HW50C-NEW-IN-BOX-/301175604307?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories&hash=item461f770453&vxp=mtr&_uhb=1)