Surge protectors offer protection in units called joules. Generally, the more joules the better, as this means the device can handle one large surge, or multiple smaller surges, before your gear is in danger. Over time, the parts inside the protector wear down, reducing its effectiveness.
Unfortunately, there's no way to know how much protection a device has left, or if the initial rating is even accurate. Buying from a reputable company, and one that includes a warranty, is a good idea. Some surge protectors offer a warranty up to a certain amount on the gear connected to the protector. You'll probably never need it, but it certainly doesn't hurt to have it.
Keep in mind, however, that just because the warranty exists doesn't mean you'll ever see a dime from it. Note in that Belkin quote the term "at its option. So don't use this as a replacement for home or renter's insurance. There are a number of products on the market that claim to "condition" the power from the wall, promising improved performance in your gear. Here's the dirty little secret: Your gear already does this. All electronics have a power supply that takes the incoming wall current v in the US , filters it for noise, and converts it into whatever the device needs.
Almost nothing actually runs on volts or alternating current, for that matter , so unless you've got some really wacky or cheap gear, and live in an area with bizarrely inadequate power, a power conditioner isn't something you need. You're always going to need more outlets.
You'll undoubtedly add more gear, without necessarily getting rid of your current gear. I'm not saying that if you think you need four outlets, you should get 12 -- but at least six is probably a good investment. Most modern devices use "wall warts" -- plugs that convert AC power into DC power and look like little boxes with electrical prongs sticking out. Consider getting a surge protector with wider spacing between sockets, or sockets that can be rotated or moved, to accommodate chunky plugs.
Note how the APC example in the image above has several close-spaced outlets, for small plugs, and also six wide-spaced for wall warts. If you want total protection, consider that phone and cable lines can carry power spikes, too. Some surge protectors have connectors for these as well.
Many surge protectors come with USB connections, so you can charge your mobile devices without having to use their wall warts. Handy, for sure, but check what the output amp rating is. Generally, this is either 1 or 2 amps often labeled 1A or 2A. This is how much flow you can get through the pipe, so to speak. The lifespan of a surge protector is not measured in years. It is measured in joules. The MOV included in your surge protector is rated in joules, which directly correlates to the lifespan of your particular surge protector.
There are many different models of surge protectors available today. If you are looking for a surge protector that can take a lot of abuse, pay attention to the joules it is rated to handle. This is the measurement of energy your surge protector is rated to protect your devices from.
With every surge of energy, the future amount of energy it can protect you from decreases. For example, if you buy a surge protector rated for 1, joules, you can handle surges up to 1, joules. This may mean a single 1, joules hit will zap the remaining life from your surge protector. However, you can also handle 10 surges of joules or surges of 1-joule hits. What does all this mean to you? The number of joules it is rated to handle will decrease with each hit.
Once the joules have been exhausted, the surge protector will act like just a regular power strip instead. It will still relay current and power your devices, but it will no longer protect them from energy surges. Unless you know exactly how many joules were present when a power surge occurred, it is virtually impossible to determine when your surge protector is no longer good.
A quality surge protector will alert you to the fact that it has reached the end of its lifespan. However, not all surge protectors will. But these lights are not foolproof and you should not necessarily rely on them. That being said — if your surge protector has a surge light that is no longer illuminating, you should assume that the MOV has been completely degraded. You should replace the surge protector at this point. However, experts recommend you replace your surge protector every 2 years.
Since surges vary from place to place, it is important to remember that there is no general rule of thumb. If you have a surge protector you need replaced, contact us. We can give you advice on the amount of joules you will need. Need a whole-home surge protector replacement? We install all types of whole-home surge protectors too. Request Service Tips on when to replace your surge protector 1.
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