How often should you replace your surge protectors?
If you are like me, you probably have your home theater system and other electronic devices plugged into a power strip or surge protector.If you are using a simple power strip, I highly recommend you switch to a surge protector.Surge protectors can help protect your electronics from power surges that can damage or destroy them.Surge protectors have a lifespan that you should pay particular attention to.
Surge protectors should be replaced when there is a surge.Surge protectors should be replaced every 2 years.Surge protectors are rated according to how much power they can handle when there is an electrical surge.Surges can be hard to track as they vary from area to area.
You want to protect your electrical devices.Quality surge protectors are a great idea.I talk about surge protectors and how to tell if they are still good.
Investing in a quality surge protector is a great way to keep your electric devices safe.Surge protectors are usually used as a power strip with a built-in protective feature.Your standard outlets are included in some of the newer models.You can protect your fax machines, cable boxes and more with higher-end models that include ethernet jacks.
Surge protectors have a metal oxide varistor.When there is a surge in power, the MOV works to absorb excess voltage.The MOV degrades over time.
Surge protectors and power strips are very similar.Take a look at the device itself to determine if you have a power strip or surge protectors.Surge protectors usually include a power or grounded light as well as a protected light.The lights indicate whether the device has a surge feature or not.
Surge protectors add another layer of protection to your device.Surge protectors may not be able to fully handle the power surge that occurs in the event of a power outage.
If you use a surge protector with a power conditioner, there will be less excess voltage.They help clarify the power supplied to your devices through your surge protectors and help them to last longer.
There are many products on the market that claim to condition your power before you use it.This is just a trick for the lower end surge protectors.Not all electronics need power conditioning.
If you only provide power to low-end speakers or a DVD player, you don't need a surge protector with power conditioning.It's hard to know if these lower-end surge protectors are still functioning as a surge protector or power conditioner after they've been destroyed.
The power conditioning feature is a welcome bonus for higher-end surge protectors.Why?Some of your sensitive electronics, such as your projector and receiver, can benefit from power conditioning.
Surge protectors with power conditioners are often built to handle everything but the most extreme surge, lasting much longer than their lower-end counterparts.
Home theater components are expensive.If you want to make sure your home theater lasts as long as possible, you should invest in a surge protector with power conditioning.
Surge protectors are not measured in years.It is measured in kilojoules.The lifespan of your surge protector is directly related to the rating of the MOV in it.
Surge protectors are available in many different models.If you're looking for a surge protector that can take a lot of abuse, make sure it's rated to handle joules.The measurement of energy is what the surge protectors are rated for.
It can protect you from decreases with every surge of energy.If you buy a surge protector that has a rating of 1,000 joules, you can handle any surge that comes your way.A single 1,000 joules hit will kill the life from your surge.You can handle 10 or 100 surge of 100 joules.
What does this mean to you?The lifespan of your surge protectors varies.Each hit will reduce the number of joules it is rated to handle.The surge protector will act like a regular power strip once the joules have been exhausted.It will still relay current and power your devices, but it won't protect them from energy surge.
If you don't know how many joules were present when a power surge occurred, it's almost impossible to tell when your surge protectors are no longer good.
Surge protectors will alert you to the fact that they have reached the end of their lifespan.Not all surge protectors will.The lights are not perfect and you should not rely on them.If your surge protector has a surge light that is no longer illuminating, you should assume that the MOV has been degraded.The surge protectors should be replaced at this point.
Surge protectors should be replaced every 2 years.It is important to remember that there is no general rule of thumb when it comes to surges.After 2 years, your surge protector may or may not be used.It makes sense to replace the surge protectors before they are too late because of the cost.
If your surge protector is more than 5 years old, you should replace it.The surge indicator light is illuminated or not.When compared to the cost of replacing the rest of your electrical devices should a power surge occur, the expenses are relatively small.