How to Test If Your Surge Protector Is Still Working in Arvada, Colorado

We all know it’s smart to have surge protectors in place in our Colorado homes to defend appliances and electronics. However, surge protectors don’t last forever, and you can’t always tell by looking at them if they’re still doing their job.

As the leading provider of expert electrical services in Arvada, Colorado, we’d like to discuss how to test a surge protector and share information about typical surge protector lifespans.  

Why Surge Protector Testing Matters in Arvada

Surge protectors serve as your first line of defense against power spikes. A lightning strike in the Front Range, a local power outage, or a sudden grid fluctuation can all cause immediate and serious damage.  

However, these devices wear out over time, and many people don’t know until it’s too late. That explains why surge protector testing is so important. You can avoid costly damage by performing a quick check once or twice a year.

First Steps in Checking Surge Protector Health 

You don’t need to be an electrician to figure out whether your surge protector is still working. Most homeowners in Arvada can handle these initial steps:

1. Check the Indicator Light

Many surge protectors include a “Protected” or “Grounded” light. This is your first point of inspection. If the light is on, that’s a good sign — but not a guarantee. If the light is off or flickering, it likely means that the internal metal oxide varistors (MOVs) are faulty or worn out.

2. Perform a Visual Inspection

Carefully look over the surge protector for signs of damage like burn marks or melted plastic. Check for loose outlets or a burnt smell. If you detect any of these obvious signs of damage, you need not test further. Instead, you must replace the unit immediately.

How to Perform a Basic Surge Protector Multimeter Test

If you’re handy with basic tools, here’s how to test a surge protector with a basic multimeter. While this test won’t confirm if the surge protection component is still active, it can help you spot obvious electrical failures or shorts.

Follow these steps:

1. Unplug the surge protector from the wall to ensure your safety.
2. Set your multimeter to continuity mode or resistance (ohms).
3. Touch the probes to the hot and neutral prongs of the plug. You should get a low resistance reading, indicating the circuit is intact.
4. Next, test between hot and ground, and then neutral and ground. These should show no continuity — meaning there’s no short between these lines.

If the readings look off, you should replace the compromised unit. If you have doubts, it’s safer to get a new one.

Surge Protection Device Test: When You Need More Accuracy

Professionals know how to test a surge protector more precisely than the results a multimeter provides. They often use a specialized surge tester. These tools simulate minor surges to see if your protector responds properly.

They’re not common in most households, but local electricians, including the team at Controlling Systems Heating, AC, and Electrical Repair, can readily perform this test if you’re unsure.

Surge Protector Lifespans

The typical surge protector lifespan is about 3 to 5 years. But if the unit has absorbed multiple surges over time, its lifespan can be much shorter. 

The things that place stress on surge protectors include:

• Frequent lightning storms that Arvada experiences in summer
• Power outages or brownouts
• Heavy load usage, like substantial HVAC system cycling on and off 

Don’t Overlook Whole-Home Surge Protection

More recently, Arvada homeowners have enjoyed the benefits of whole-home surge protection. Modern technology can deliver blanket protection for all your high-value systems, like HVAC units, refrigerators, electronics, and EV chargers. A professional electrician installs these devices at your breaker control panel.

If you have a whole home unit, schedule routine electrical surge protector checks by a licensed electrician to make certain you’re covered during our next major storm.