Pairing and Security Questions for the Portable Power Watchdog Surge Protector

Updated 01/13/2025 | Published 12/24/2024

Question:

On the Hughes 50 amp Power Watchdog with WIFI, I have a couple of questions. 1 I see that there is a QR code to pare the device with a smartphone. Great! But is there a security feature or password setting to keep others from paring to my EMS and controlling or shutting off my electrical service? 2 The metal antitheft ring on the Watchdog seems simple enough, but how would one attach this to the pedestal? I mean, it seems like they could simply lift the entire Watchdog and lock cable over the top of the electrical panel and take the entire thing. In my RV experiences, I dont recall there being anything to secure the other end of the cable to. Please offer some kind of an idea on how to secure this device. Its rather expensive and I could see someone thinking that they deserve it more than the one that paid for it, these days.

asked by: Tim S

Expert Reply:

Hey Tim, I spoke with Hughes and they sent the following in regards to your questions:

1."I see that there is a QR code to pare the device with a smartphone. Great! But is there a security feature or password setting to keep others from paring to my EMS and controlling or shutting off my electrical service?"

Yes, because it has the ability to shut off power, etc, when you first download the app, you will have to create an 'account' which is an email and password. Then you scan the QR code on the unit (which is a unique QR code) and it will 'bind' this device to your account. If someone else tried to scan it (add device) it would say it is already bound. So this is a security feature to prevent someone else from syncing their phone with your device, etc.

2. "The metal antitheft ring on the Watchdog seems simple enough, but how would one attach this to the pedestal? I mean, it seems like they could simply lift the entire Watchdog and lock cable over the top of the electrical panel and take the entire thing. In my RV experiences, I don't recall there being anything to secure the other end of the cable to. Please offer some kind of an idea on how to secure this device. Its rather expensive and I could see someone thinking that they deserve it more than the one that paid for it, these days."

Yes, all PWD units gen1 and gen2 units have a metal locking ring. This is where you would pass the cable or chain through the metal ring and tightly around the pedestal. It should be tight enough that you cannot simply pull it up and over the breaker box, etc. If this is not feasible, then you can secure it to a tree, axel, etc anything that is secure.

If you have any other questions feel free to leave a comment and I'd be happy to help!

expert reply by: Bryce D