When Should I Replace A Surge Protector?

Everyone is familiar with surge protectors, and you likely have several in use around your home. You might even have an ancient surge protector that you bought during the Reagan administration and has now turned a dark shade of yellow. Have you ever stopped to think about if that device is still protecting you? Let’s first start with some definitions: a surge protector is a device that is designed to protect electrical equipment from excess voltage. A power strip is simply a device that provides additional electrical outlets. If you do not see any sort of label that uses the word “protection” or “joule rating”, then you should consider it a power strip with NO electrical protection. Surge protectors make use of components called metal oxide varistors to divert excess voltage to the ground wire, but they can only do this up to a certain level: the joule rating. A higher joule rating provides greater – but not unlimited – protection. Importantly, surge protectors can wear out. As they protect your devices from the random voltage fluctuations of the power grid their ability to handle those surges diminishes. Determining if your surge protector is still good is a bit like Schrödinger’s cat: you can’t tell without testing, which destroys it. The bottom line is that if the surge protector is old or has been through a few electrical storms, then it’s worth replacing it – especially if expensive computers or TVs are connected to it. When shopping for a new one, look for a rating of 2,000 joules or higher and UL 1449 certification. This article from Liberty Insurance has a good overview of surge protection in general.