What does a blinking light on a surge protector mean?

The ubiquitous power strips used in every type of home or office have a tendency to flicker caused by the slow deterioration of the indicator light. The blinking is confined to the light itself; it doesn’t affect the strip or the AC power available at the sockets.

How do I know if my surge protector is bad?

Simply examine your surge protector to see if you can spot a red or green blinking light on the outside of the device. Please note that this is not a foolproof system. Just because there is no flashing light does not always mean your device is fine. However, if it is flashing, you definitely need a new one.

Should a surge protector light be flickering?

If the blinking/flickering light on your surge protector is red or orange, it is most likely a power light that indicates that a surge protector has been turned on or off. If that red or orange light has neon bulbs, they will degrade over time. This causes them to blink and flicker.

What are the red and green lights on a surge protector?

Red is surge protector is on. The red light indicates that the surge protector is on. The green light indicates the ground is on and is working.

What’s the life expectancy of a surge protector?

three to five years
Yep, that’s right: Surge protectors don’t last forever. Most estimates put the average lifespan of a surge protector at three to five years. And if your home is subject to frequent brownouts or blackouts, you might want to replace your surge protectors as often as every two years.

Do surge protectors wear out?

Yes, a surge protector isn’t designed to last forever and will eventually wear out. The bad news is that it’s almost impossible to tell when a surge protector wears out.

How often should you replace your surge protector?

every two years
Most estimates put the average lifespan of a surge protector at three to five years. And if your home is subject to frequent brownouts or blackouts, you might want to replace your surge protectors as often as every two years.

What does a green light on a surge protector mean?

grounded
The green light indicates that the surge protector is grounded. For maximum protection, you want the surge protector grounded and have the green light on, though it is not required.

When should you replace your surge protector?

Experts recommend you replace your surge protector every 2 years. A surge protector is rated in joules, which indicate how much excessive power they can handle when an electrical surge occurs. However, this figure can be hard to track as surges vary from area to area.

Why does the light on my surge protector flicker?

Most surge protectors have a light of some sort. Newer models will have an LED, while older models may have a standard light bulb. If your light is burnt out, dim, or flickering, your surge protector has taken a surge and is no longer fully capable of protecting your PC. Surge protectors do not heal.

What to look for in a surge protector?

The three things to look for in a surge protector are: A big power rating. A good self test that lets you know it has died. It has both line to line and line to earth protection.

Does a surge protector protect against lightning?

No, surge protectors by themselves won’t protect your home from a surge caused by a direct (or even a nearby) lightning strike. In fact, completely unplugging appliances from the outlet is the only way to ensure 100\% protection against lightning strike surges.

What is the difference between a power strip and a surge protector?

The difference between a power strip and a surge protector is that a power strip adds extra outlet space while a surge protector defends against possible voltage spikes that could damage your electronics, appliances, or equipment. Although they look similar,…