On Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 11:11:27 AM UTC-5, Gary wrote:
> One thing I learned long ago...surge protectors only protect you for
> one time. After that, they are worthless. Most will start blinking the
> led to let you know they are used up and you need to replace it.

That is near zero protectors that are also a fire threat. Properly installed protector means direct lightning strikes without damage - even to a protector. But that means one rated at 50,000 amps and connected within feet of the earth ground electrode. Plug-in protectors are undersized to fail. Being near zero, failure get the naive to promote these obscenely profitable items.

A protector adjacent to an appliance sometimes can make computer damage easier - as seen by the failed protector and power supply. It did exactly what its specifications (numbers) said it would do.