Surge protector life

bstannard · 08-08-2021, 07:15 PM

I have now been told that surge protectors need to be replaced every 3-4 years. Is this true even for good units like our Progressive Dynamics PT50X? Never heard of this before but would appreciate anyone else’s experience.
Thanks
Bill

Route 66 Traveler · 08-08-2021, 07:39 PM

Never heard that before…been using my PT50X for over 3 years now. Just keep the connectors clean….about the only maintenance you need to do.

dxrobertson · 08-08-2021, 07:53 PM

Nothing mentioned in the manual for my Southwire Surge Guard about required time frame replacement.

Only replacement mention is if the "built in surge protection has been sacrificed" that the unit needs to be replaced.

TCNashville · 08-08-2021, 08:31 PM

I haven't heard that these units have a shelf life. My portable 30A PI unit is still going after 5 years. For $250, it better last more than 3-4 years, lol.

SouthCo · 08-08-2021, 09:09 PM

Bill, who told you? Like the others I’ve never heard this.

ARoamer · 08-09-2021, 05:43 AM

The surge module in my Hughes power watchdog is replaceable. The surge components are sacrificial and can be "used up" from power surges, they send excess power to ground and that can gradually or instantly degrade them. $33 for the replacement module.

Hughes Autoformer website---

SPECIAL BONUS OFFER – If your surge module is ‘used up’ within the first 2 years of purchase, Hughes Autoformers will mail you one FREE replacement. (One free replacement offer only within the first 2 years of purchase. Proof of purchase required, proof of used up surge module also required)
*NOTE – If you use up the surge module, the unit will still function properly. The EPO (emergency power off) functions and the Bluetooth will still work. You would just not have surge protection until that part is replaced, but you WILL have power into your RV.

bstannard · 08-09-2021, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthCo

Bill, who told you? Like the others I’ve never heard this.

First was a salesman at Best Buy when we were looking for smart tv to replace our dumb one. He had some credibility as he was a rv and boat owner. Also same statement in short article on line (had to true-right?&#129300

but didn’t specify what type of surge protector. Appreciate the responses here. Think we’re not going to worry about this issue.

**norty1** · 08-09-2021, 06:21 AM

I would not either. I had a Progressive PT50 that was toast from a lightning strike. Only option then was buy a new one.

I bought the 50a Power Watchdog and it has the option of purchasing the part and it's working again.
A no brainer for me.

Mopar_Earl · 08-09-2021, 06:27 AM

Decent to better surge protectors will stop flow of power once they take surge. Toss and replace. Some of the RV ones have replaceable surge protectors and will give a fault that it needs replaced. Save your money and only replace when needed.

Earl

Marine71-76 · 08-09-2021, 08:32 AM

Never heard of that either. We had our unit for 12 years before it bit the dust. It still worked but the digital reading quit working. Contacted the manufacturer & they advise that as long as it was working it was okay but we did purchase a new so we can see the reading.

EA37TS · 08-09-2021, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bstannard

First was a salesman at Best Buy when we were looking for smart tv to replace our dumb one. He had some credibility as he was a rv and boat owner. Also same statement in short article on line (had to true-right?&#129300

but didn’t specify what type of surge protector. Appreciate the responses here. Think we’re not going to worry about this issue.

Salesman, Best Buy and Credibility do not belong in the same paragraph let alone sentence. IMHO no salespeople have even a shred of credibility. The want the sale and that is all they want.

RedHorse1 · 08-09-2021, 10:14 AM

My Progressive EMS has served me for 7 years without any problems. If it weren’t for the remote display I’d probably forget I had one.

**norty1** · 08-09-2021, 10:35 AM

A salesman from Best Buy would be my least reliable source.

bstannard · 08-09-2021, 01:21 PM

Thanks everyone for your responses. Yes, the words Best Buy and salesman together do raise a flag (we still bought the tv though). You’ve put my mind to rest over this topic. Thanks again to this great group.
Bill

qs271a · 08-18-2021, 01:02 PM

Ya, I'm curious if he meant just a surge protector, or an EMS, as they work differently. I've had my 50 amp PI EMS for over 12 years, and it still runs great. I've had multiple trips over the years, and it's the energizer bunny of electrical management systems.

thenne1713 · 08-18-2021, 02:15 PM

SURGE PROTECTORS, from my experience years back, use a disk capacitor type device that blows apart like a FUSE when hit w/ a surge; old SP POWER STRIPS used to have a REPLACE or FAILED Indicator light? Some had a REPLACE IF NOT LIT light? If you have not been experiencing surges, you should have none blown?

jetlag · 08-18-2021, 03:06 PM

Darn, we liked our RV salesman so much, and he did a lot for us, that I just mailed him today 2 bottles of bourbon and some Gelatin for his wife. He says she is the yellow shot queen at their seasonal RV park, so we threw a few boxes in there as well, lol.

Jagiven · 08-18-2021, 04:26 PM

I know I have seen write ups that say the little surge protectors should be replaced every 5 or so years. But I also read, when the indicator is no longer on, it needs to be replaced, and you never know when they will fail.

My whole house surge protector has a green light, the instructions state I should check it periodically, or after a storm. If the green light is not on, it is time to replace.

berwin · 08-19-2021, 08:16 AM

As a long-time computer professional, I can tell you that surge suppressors do indeed have a shelf life. Each time it catches an overvoltage event, it loses a little of its protective capabilities. Back in the day, you could even get suppressors that had an indicator light that showed if it was still protecting or needed replacement (this is NOT the on/off light switch). You might check to see if your suppressor has one. These days, I use an uninterruptable power supply at home rather than a surge suppressor so I'm not up to date of what capabilities are out there now.

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