Can Power Strips Go Bad? Detailed Answer

Image source: CNET

Whenever you buy an electrical device or appliance, it is normal to think about its end of life.

How long will it last and when should I expect to replace it?

The same applies to the power strips. Given the integral role that it plays, you wont want to be inconvenienced when it stops working.

The truth is power strips do expire or go bad. And after that, you will have to consider doing a replacement.

The service life is not the same across all the power strips. Some tend to last longer than others.

Also, there are several factors that can shorten the service life of the strips.

In this guide, we we going to break down when and why power strips go bad.

We will also give you tips on what you can do to increase their service life and what to do when it goes bad.

Table of Contents

What is a power strip and how does it work?

Back to the basics, a power strip is an electrical device designed to allow multiple electrical devices and appliances to be connected to a single power outlet.

The strip encompasses of a power cord, power outlets, and a circuit breaker whose main task is to control how power flows to other devices.

A power strip ensures that other devices and appliances are able to get the power in a safe and organized way.

To understand whether a power strip goes bad or not, it will be prudent to have an overview of uts working mechanism.

As we have already mentioned, the power strip has outlets and a cord which is plugged to a wall. This cord supplies power to the strip which will also supply to the outlets. All the other devices will get the power from the outlets.

These outlets have numerous electrical contacts into which you will plug in the devices.

Switch and circuit breaker are other two key parts of the power strip.

With the switch, you will be able to control when power gets into the outlets. The circuit breaker, on the other hand serves as a safety device. It trips when there is a power surge protecting the devices from the dangers of electric damage.

Components that expire in a power strip

Image source: Patch

At this point, you know the critical components of a power strip and how they work. These components are mainly made of metal plastics and different forms of wiring.

So, which one of them are vulnerable to damage or expire?

A major threat to the plastic components of the power strip is breakage. Rough handling is the main cause of damage even though plastics are also prone to corrosion.

The metal prongs can also get damaged due to corrosion that takes place whenever you are plugging electrical devices. Since the aluminum is the main material for the metal, it can degrade when exposed to moisture and other unfavorable elements.

The wiring elements of a power strip can also get damaged due to various electrical and physical faults. Some wires can also get loose over time and may not supply power and signals perfectly as intended.

What are the dangers of a damaged power strip?

There are numerous dangers or threats of using a damaged or expired power strip. Here are some of these dangers.

-Electric shock: This is a very common threat or danger of a damaged power strip. A damaged wiring component means that there will be current leakage which eventually increases the risk of electrical shock.

-Fire hazard: Fire is another threat to the damaged or expired power strip. It can happen due to overheating in the power outlets or even faulty wiring. A fire hazard can cause significant damage and even loss of life.

-Damaged electric devices: An expired power strip can lead to the subsequent damage of other electrical devices in the house. The connected devices are likely to malfunction if they get fluctuating power supply.

If you are not ready to deal with the above losses, then it is advisable to replace your expired power strip with another one.

How can I tell that my power strip is bad?

Most of us are reactive. We will only act when something has gone bad.

So, when should I replace my power strip?

There are numerous signs that will tell you when to replace your power strip. These signs include:

-Damaged power cord: You can tell that your cord is damaged if its wires are exposed. Worn-out insulation on the cord is another call for emergency attention. This might have been caused by repetitive bending and you should consider replacing the cord or power strip as a whole.

-The outlet stops working: Whenever you plug in devices into the outlets of the power strip, you don’t see any changes. In short, they are not working at all. This is an obvious sign of a damaged or dead power strip and it needs to be replaced.

-Sparks from the power strip: Do you hear sounds of sparks coming from your power strip? This could be a sign of a problem. Maybe the outlets are corroded beyond a certain level or the problem could be due to poor wiring.