Podcast Summary: Hands-On Tech 243 — How Often Should I Replace Surge Protectors?

Host: Micah Sargent
Date: November 23, 2025
Podcast: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio), Episode: Hands-On Tech 243

Episode Overview

In this hands-on tech episode, Micah Sargent answers a listener question about whether power strips and surge protectors really need regular replacement. The conversation dives into the differences between basic power strips and actual surge protectors, how surge protection works, why these devices can "wear out," and how to recognize when it's time to replace them. The episode further provides consumer advice on selecting and maintaining safe power accessories for home and office use. Plus, a listener question about 5 GHz Wi-Fi compatibility for smart switches brings an impromptu lesson in wireless physics and smart home best practices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Power Strips vs. Surge Protectors: Clarifying the Terms

(Starts around 01:32)

• Micah emphasizes the common confusion: Not all power strips are surge protectors.
  • A "power strip" simply provides more outlets; a "surge protector" has built-in technology to protect against electrical surges.
• Defines surge protection as a feature designed to keep both the devices plugged in and a home's electrical system safe from voltage spikes.

"When we're talking about devices that need to be replaced... the replaceability is often referring to surge protectors, not power outlets, not just standard power outlets or power strips."
— Micah Sargent (02:41)

2. How Surge Protection Works

(Approx. 05:25)

• The heart of a surge protector is the Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV).
  • MOVs absorb excess energy from spikes (like those following a power outage or lightning strike), keeping voltage regulated and protecting devices.
• MOVs degrade over time, especially with repeated small surges—not just dramatic lightning strikes.

“…those MOVs, even with small amounts of surges over time…degrade over time as they work to absorb the spikes in your power. After enough hits, then they no longer are able to protect the devices that you have plugged in.”
— Micah (08:27)

3. Expiration & Replacement: Fact vs. Manufacturer Advice

(Main discussion: 09:30 – 15:25)

• Why surge protectors need replacing:

  • MOV degradation means, after enough surges, protection is lost—though the outlets still work as basic power strips.

• LED indicators can help:

  • Surge protectors with indicator lights tell you when surge protection is depleted.
  • Basic power strips or cheap surge protectors often lack this feature.

• Replacement Guidance:

  • There’s a “cynicism” around short manufacturer-recommended lifespans (e.g., 3–5 years).
  • High-quality strips, especially non-surge types, can last a decade or more if not abused.

“Most power strips do not come with built-in technology that shows you when they're no longer being a surge protector. And that is where the cynicism, Elizabeth, is good.”
— Micah (10:05)

4. Other Reasons to Replace Power Strips & Surge Protectors

(15:25 onward)

• Physical Wear & Hazard Signs:
  • Outlet contacts can loosen, causing overheating and fire risk.
  • Solder joints inside may degrade from thermal cycling/oxidation—leading to reliability and fire safety issues.
  • Damaged cords, burn/scorch marks, or switches that don’t work are immediate red flags for replacement.
  • Heat is the key enemy: Increased resistance or higher current loads (e.g. space heaters) can be dangerous.

“More resistance equals heat equals fire hazard. Then there are some other issues. You can, you could often find that the solder joints inside of these components…can start to degrade as well.”
— Micah (15:45 & 16:30)

5. Practical Recommendations for Consumers

(Main takeaways around 22:00–25:00)

• Look for:
  • UL Listing: Always prioritize UL-certified products for safety.
  • Surge Protection Indicator: Gives direct feedback on protection status.
  • Appropriate Wire Gauge: For typical home circuits (usually 15A), look for 14-gauge wire in strips.
• Use surge protectors where they matter most (e.g. computers, entertainment centers), and basic strips for low-value/low-risk devices (like lamps).
• After a major surge (e.g., post-blackout or big storm), check surge protector indicators and consider replacing if tripped.

“Point is UL certification first and foremost. Choose ones that have surge protection indicators—that’s huge. Then, you know, and you don’t have to question it.”
— Micah (22:45)

6. Memorable Moments & Quotes

• The Frankenstein Analogy:

  “If you are Dr. Frankenstein... and you did bring to life Frankenstein's monster recently... you've got to... get some new surge protectors because all of them in your home probably need to be replaced by that point!”
  — Micah (21:55)

• On manufacturer recommendations and consumer skepticism:

  “It’s almost like what we say with Best by dates and consume by dates—it’s choosing to be on the safe side of things.”
  — Micah (18:08)

7. Mailbag: Smart Light Switches and 5 GHz Wi-Fi

(26:00–37:00)

• Listener Stan asks about in-wall smart switches that work on 5 GHz Wi-Fi.

• Micah’s Tech Deep-Dive:

  • Most Wi-Fi smart switches only support 2.4 GHz because lower frequencies penetrate walls and obstacles better.
  • 5 GHz has higher bandwidth but is easily blocked by walls and physical material—leading to unreliable in-wall performance.
  • Recommended instead: Lutron Caséta line, which uses a bridge plugged into the router—so in-wall units aren’t dependent on Wi-Fi frequency.

• Physics Lesson: 2.4 GHz has longer wavelengths (about 12.5 cm vs. 6 cm for 5 GHz), travels better through walls, and is thus favored for smart home in-wall devices.

“The shorter wavelengths… have more trouble getting around and passing around obstacles, so they are being interfered with much more frequently than 2.4 GHz.”
— Micah (32:40)

• Final advice: Don't hunt for 5 GHz in-wall options; stick to bridge-based or 2.4 GHz-supported systems for reliability.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:32–05:24: Power strip vs. surge protector terminology & surge protection basics
• 05:25–09:30: Metal Oxide Varistors explained; why surge protection wears out
• 09:30–13:32: Lifespan, LED indicators, and skepticism about replacement advice
• 15:25–22:00: Warning signs for replacement, fire hazards, and physical wear
• 22:00–25:00: Concrete recommendations – UL certification, indicators, home use tips
• 26:00–37:00: 5 GHz vs. 2.4 GHz for smart switches, bridge-based approaches, home Wi-Fi physics lesson

Summary Table: Surge Protector Replacement Advice

| Situation | Replace? | Why/Notes | |-----------------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | MOV/surge indicator light is off | YES | Surge protection disabled | | Loose outlets/contacts | YES | Fire and reliability hazard | | Visible cord damage or burn marks | YES | Immediate safety hazard | | Physical switch no longer works | YES | Malfunction | | After major surge (storm/blackout) | CHECK indicator/replace | MOV may be degraded, check indicators if any | | Old non-surge power strip, not abused | Unlikely (decade+) | Minimal degradation if used properly | | Strip gets excessively warm/hot | YES | Overload/fire risk |

Concluding Advice from Micah

• “Invest in quality, UL-certified surge protectors for important devices, choose models with protection indicator lights, and don’t stress about arbitrary 3–5 year replacement intervals unless warranted by damage or indicator loss.”
• Use skepticism with “planned obsolescence” advice, but understand that surge protection lifespans are a real limit due to MOV wear.
• For smart home wiring, bridges beat Wi-Fi alone, and 2.4 GHz frequency remains the practical choice for in-wall solutions.

Additional Resource Recommendations

• Lutron Caséta (for smart home switches with reliable bridge solutions)
• Focus on UL listing and visible indicator lights when purchasing new surge protectors.

This episode blends practical home tech advice with accessible tech education, ensuring all listeners can make safer, more informed choices regarding their power strips and surge protectors—plus a bonus home networking crash course.