Surge protectors--do they lose their ability to protect your pc over time?

Question

Someone told me you have to buy new ones eventually. Is this true? I know the higher the joule rating the better the protection.

Answer 1

Bunk. Some salesman tell you that? Suppression is done with Coils and capacitors. It's either going to work or it isn't. Remember lightning jumps through air and nothing will protect that.

Answer 2

It really will only will lose its ability if its been through a good number of surges. Or some kind of electrical signal was sent through it the incorrect way. You can also get one of those battary back up units to help if there is a brown out or a black out.