How to Test Your Surge Protection Device?

A diagram about electrical equipment with surge protection devices

Figure 1: Electrical equipment with surge protection devices.

Surge protection devices protect our electronic equipment from the impact of surge and lightning which will occur without warning at any time. But how do you know if your surge protector is working normally? It is helpful to know how to test the surge protector so that it can continue to protect your electronic equipment.

Here, I will teach you how to test surge protection devices in an easy way.

1. Check Whether The Indicator Light is On

If you have experienced a lightning strike or a power outage for a certain period, you will notice the indicator light flickering. Flickering indicates that your surge protector is protecting your electronics from voltage fluctuations.
If your surge protection device does not feature a light indicator, you can still listen for the “click" sound that it makes when plugged in. In this case, your surge protection device is indeed working and protecting your electrical devices.

Figure 2: Check the indicator light.

2. Judge Whether The Surge Protection Device is Protecting Your Equipment

First, turn on your surge protection device and connect your high-power electrical equipment.
If your surge protection device has done its job and protected your device, you won’t hear a popping sound or smell any smoke. However, in this case, your surge protection device has failed, and you need to find a new one.
On the other hand, if the surge protection device protects the appliance, it should make only a soft buzzing sound.

3. Use Current Tester to Measure The Current of Surge Protection Device

Figure 3: Measure the current.

High reading indicates the surge protection device has been damaged. In addition, you can find hot spots or any bumps or chemical odors on the device (Remember to unplug the surge protection device). If you hear a burst or smell chemicals, please replace it immediately.

4. Use A Voltage Tester to Measure The Voltage of The Socket into Which The Surge Protection Device is inserted

Normal measurement results indicates the device is OK. However, if the voltage is too low, it shows the surge protection device has been damaged.
Finally, if the surge protection device cannot be tested using the above method, please contact the product manufacturer for further instructions.