How often do replace your surge protectors?

[JRobyn]

I'm running one of these in each load center..... wonder if they have a better life expectancy?

Amazon.com: Square D by Schneider Electric QO2175SB QO SurgeBreaker Surge Protective Device Takes 2 Load Center Spaces: Home Improvement

 

[tjkubota93]

A varistor just breaks over to ground over a certain voltage to protect from "surges" or high voltage-namely lightning. Your power company probably won't get high enough to cause a problem that a surge protector would help.

Your problems are more than likely low voltage from being at the end of a circuit. Like others said, a ups would be more help, protecting your stuff from low voltage.

 

[zzvyb6]

Take a look at this: I just bought a FLIR/ONE thermal imaging attachment to my Samsung Smartphone. $250

One of the first images I point to is my surge protector for my computer stuff. It indicates a very HOT spot inside the surge protector box that must be a transformer or variator or omething. Its not a plug outlet. None of my other surge protectrs are showing this indication, so I just ordered two brand new ones. This situation would make for a highly possible fire in the wall where the plug is if the protector melted down.

This FLIR/ONE consistes of two cameras: one for the infrared and one for subdued visible so you can see an outline of the object(s) you are 'seeing' in heat. Its pretty 'cool', actually...

 

[Copperhead]

I outgrew surge protectors years ago and now keep all my sensitive stuff on uninterruptible power supplies. Acts as surge protector, clean line filter, and power for the stuff when we get power offs occasionally. We can take a power hit and I hardly notice it.

 

[Ford850]

Take a look at this: I just bought a FLIR/ONE thermal imaging attachment to my Samsung Smartphone. $250

One of the first images I point to is my surge protector for my computer stuff. It indicates a very HOT spot inside the surge protector box that must be a transformer or variator or omething. Its not a plug outlet. None of my other surge protectrs are showing this indication, so I just ordered two brand new ones. This situation would make for a highly possible fire in the wall where the plug is if the protector melted down.

This FLIR/ONE consistes of two cameras: one for the infrared and one for subdued visible so you can see an outline of the object(s) you are 'seeing' in heat. Its pretty 'cool', actually...

Good catch. My dad got a box of free energy saving bulbs, etc, from the electric company a couple years ago. A surge protector was included. He swapped out his old surge protector at his desk with this new one. A few months later, it smoked and melted, nearly starting a fire before he pulled the plug on the smoldering mess.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Man, I hate that term "Surge". Anything goes wrong with a computer device and it's said to have been caused by a "surge". I have an electrical/electronics background, and don't even know what a surge is.

There are spikes, harmonics, hi voltage, low voltage. A simple MOV equiped power bar is really only good to supress high voltage spikes, that's it. But that device should last for years. And yes, the better ones have indicators.

I use whole panel MOV type protectors and a good APC Inteligent UPS on anything I really care about.

I think too often "surges" are blamed for poor or cheap power supply design.