Do surge protectors go bad?

[Anonymous user]

I am trying to get a official APC responses as I have found the following information on blog/forum below

https://www.howtogeek.com/212375/why-and-when-you-need-to-replace-your-surge-protector/

https://energytoday.biz/blog/do-surge-protectors-wear-out 

[BillP]

Hi,

APC surge protection unit have a life time warranty for the original purchaser. So, if the unit were to fail under normal use it will be replace free of charge. 

Limited Warranty Schneider Electric IT (SEIT) warrants its products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for the lifetime of the original purchaser. Its obligation under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing, at its sole option, any such defective products. To obtain service under warranty you must obtain a Returned Material Authorization (RMA) number from SEIT or an SEIT Service Center with transportation charges prepaid and must be accompanied by a brief description of the problem and proof of date and place of purchase. This warranty applies only to the original purchaser.

[Anonymous user]

I understand the warranty part but I am try to confirm the below is that true?

"

How (and when) surge protectors wear out

Surge protectors basically work like sponges. But instead of absorbing liquids, surge protectors absorb any unsafe levels of voltage before it reaches (and damages) your appliances. But unlike a sponge, a surge protector can’t just wring out all the voltage it’s absorbed and start fresh. 

You see, every surge protector has a specific amount of voltage that it can absorb before it dies. This number is called its “joule rating” (a joule is a unit of energy). Typical surge protectors usually have anywhere from 400 to over 2,000 joules. The higher the joules rating, the better.

Here’s how it works:

If a surge protector with 800 joules takes a 200-joule hit, it has 600 joules worth of protection left. Likewise, if a surge protector with 1,000 joules takes ten 100-joule hits, it won’t offer protection anymore and will need to be replaced.

[BillP]

Hi Mandep,

The principle you've described, "If a surge protector with 800 joules takes a 200-joule hit, it has 600 joules worth of protection left. Likewise, if a surge protector with 1,000 joules takes ten 100-joule hits, it won’t offer protection anymore and will need to be replaced." has some truth to it, however the percentage of degradation isn't exactly equal to the mentioned "Joule Hit". I have attached an article below which describes in details the degradation of Metal Oxide Varistors, when subjected to current impulses while in service.

Metal Oxide Varistor Degradation

Secret Squirrel

[BillP]

Hello, I'm trying like the OP to understand this.

Is the "protection" led on my APC strips a reliable way to understand if it has to be replaced or not? (I even have a 8 plugs "black" series APC strip that is 8 years old and the led is still "on", that article says to replace them in 2 years anyway....)

Do they shut off automatically when aren't able to offer protection anymore? (in a similar way when they sacrifice to stop an incoming lightning?)

How to manage this uncertainty?

Thanks!

[BillP]

Anyone?

[BillP]

Hi,

As noted in an earlier post to this thread it is possible the Metal Oxide Varistor may degrade and fail. Most all APC surge protectors have a life time warranty so if the MOV were to fail the unit would be replace free of charge. 

[BillP]

Thanks yes this is clear, it is good that APC will replace those.

but how reliably understand if it is time to get the strips swapped by APC ?

the status led indicates if the protection went bad, but I don't think the same applies to near-dead MOVs inside, from what I read internal status leds cannot reliably measure MOVs lifetime 

[BillP · Accepted solution]

HI,

There is no measurement of when the surge strip will need replacement. Most all APC surge protectors have a life time warranty so if the MOV were to fail the unit would be replace free of charge.