Fat chance that I'll be replacing my UPS units every two years. My
pocketbook just wont allow that. I would venture to speculate that UPSs are
less prone to the kinds of degradation that strip type surge suppressors are
as the cost is considerably higher. Also if they were to be in need of
replacement every two years, why would the manufacturers offer replacement
batteries?

Brad Loomis
Morro Bay, CA

> I've read that all surge suppressors and UPS units should be replaced
every
> two years because their effectiveness decreases with time.  I'll post the
> link if I can remember where I read that.
> Ron Jobe

> > > Do surge power strips "wear out"?.  When they've taken a few surge
> 'hits'
> > > to they lose their effectiveness for attenuating power spikes?
> > >
> > > Just one of those questions I've always wondered about and thought one
> of
> > > you electronics experts can answer.
> > >
> > > Thanks, Dan
> >
> > Hi,
> >   The surge protection doesn't "wear out" as you put it, but they can be
> > rendered ineffective. The protection device will try to clamp any surge
> > voltage to a "safe" level, right up to the point it self destructs (from
> > overheating). The amount of energy it can absorb before this happens is
> > called a joule rating. Better protectors have a higher joule rating (the
> > protection devices are physically larger inside the unit), so they can
> > withstand a bigger "hit", before overheating to the point of
> > self-destruction.
> >   There is no simple way of testing them, to see if they are still
> > functioning properly, so if you have any doubts, you should just replace
> them
> > (and maybe move the questionable ones to less valuable equipment, or
stuff
> > that is not likely to be hurt by surges...incandescent lights, or things
> with
> > just a motor, like fans for example, are not too susceptible to surges).
> >
> > HTH,
> > Peter Hogan
> > [log in to unmask]
>
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