Little Button on the Surge Protector

[kerrex_2006]

OK, so I was looking at my computer, and I noticed that there was this little button on the side of the surge protector.

What is that button for, and what happens when you press it in? Because I pressed it in, and it won't come back out after pressing it again.

Should I be worried?

[guns1inger]

It is to reset the protector if it gets tripped. Of course, this assumes it hasn't burnt out. If yours isn't coming out again it could mean the protector is already fried and doing nothing for you, or that you broke the button.

[kerrex_2006]

So that mean we're in some kind of danger, and are there any risks we should be concerned about?

[budz]

unplug that surge protector and buy a brand new one.

[redwudz]

At least on mine, that's a circuit breaker, similar to a fuse, but resettable. It's for over amperage or current. That would be separate from the surge protector, which is for over voltage. They usually have a light to tell you if they are working or failed. Surge protectors self destruct if they are the usual MOV type. Then you usually just replace the whole unit. If the circuit breaker failed, it won't reset. They work by heat from the amount of power passing through. If you overload them to the maximum current constantly, they wear out after a while.

I've blown several MOV type surge protectors over a two year period. If you unplug it and take it apart, the MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor) is blown apart when they fail. If so, they are useless until repaired or replaced. Circuit breakers are usually labeled with their tripping current, usually 5 - 15 amps.

[kerrex_2006]

Well, the surge protector that I had there was both a surge protector and a battery backup.

So, if I'm going to replace it, does it have to be a surge protector/battery backup, or can it be just a regular sure protector?

[Nelson37]

You could use either one or just plug it into the wall.

Most units of this type, the switch is in the extended position when tripped, reset state is usually flush. It sounds like yours tripped, and you have correctly reset it.

If this is an APC unit, and there are no error lights or beeps, then it is in good working condition and has operated as intended. I would also trust a Panamax unit.

Anything else, and especially Tripplite, I would remove and replace.

IMO, anything but an APC is a waste of time, effort, and money.

I am a PC technician living in the lightning strike capital of the world. I buy or recommend nothing but APC.

[kerrex_2006]

So in order words, everything's in working order?

[zoobie]

yep
it's a ciruit breaker that was somehow tripped...and you've reset it
that's all it can be
you can always look up the make/model online to be sure