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

----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, June 02, 2002 7:04 AM
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Surge Protectors


> In a message dated 06/02/2002 12:53:51 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
>
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > 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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