[jefro]

Very old used a small neon bulb.

Most of these that go into a load panel are not designed for external strikes but internal to home issues. Still a good consideration. Mandatory now in many installations. I worked on a factory move in Houston last year and they installed hundreds in the plant.

 

[ClarDold]

Very old used a small neon bulb.

This one is from the mid-80’s.
The switch flickers. The end light doesn't.

 

[jreddington]

well, I have one that is several decades old and the LED light flickers, still using it.

I was thinking more of the devices that are installed at the breaker panel. If a spike occurs that is beyond their rating in joules, the suppressor is toast, no longer providing protection, and should be replaced.

As to power strips, technically RPTs or Relocatable Power Taps, they have MOVs (another technical term for Metal Oxide Varistors) connected between hot and ground. At normal 120 voltage the MOV has high resistance so no current flows. When there is a voltage spike the high voltage makes the MOV a conductor, shunting the resulting current to the ground, clamping the voltage.

The problem with older RPTs is that the MOV sometimes would get stuck in a middle state conducting some current after the spike. The MOV would heat due to resistance causing a fire.

Once UL recognized this problem their solution was to require a properly sized fuse that will blow if there is sustained current through the MOVs.

Off the top of my head I don't recall when this change to the standard was made but something decades old could be the pre-fused units and should be replaced with a new, UL listed RPT.

 

[jefro]

The load panel ones I see require a specific amp circuit breaker.

The old power strips were catching on fire a lot. We had to replace a few hundred twice due to issues.

 

[XJ12]

This one is from the mid-80’s.

That device looks like the ones we had to remove from service at my workplace back in the day due to a recall.

 

[GregBrew]

I agree with Jefro. I just read an article somewhere.. maybe Electrotek or someplace. The draft of the 2026 code has a line that says "EVSE should be installed by qualified personal" which people fear will get translated to using electricians only. Rivian and others are arguing against it because 1) people will just not get permits anymore or 2) those who do get permits will be installing a welder or RV circuit.
It seems strange that this one item would be singled out.

I'm not a licensed electrician, but I rewired my entire house under the supervision of one.

I'm a qualified person, just not licensed.

 

[p7wang]

I'm not a licensed electrician, but I rewired my entire house under the supervision of one.

I'm a qualified person, just not licensed.

Reverse for me.

I got a permit.
I know how to do it from watching YT but I hired a retired electrician to do the install while I 'supervised'.
I had it inspected and it passed.
LOL