[Mark7]

I find it odd that a (high priced) surge protector would self destruct because of a mis-wired outlet of any configuration.

Granted, a 50A outlet with a hot and neutral reversed is insane and should trip a the breaker the millisecond anything wired correctly is plugged into it... think about what is going on there. There has to be more to this story.

Any surge protector should be able to take any kind of mis-wire situation without sacrificing itself. I would call the manufacturer and ask for a replacement.