Why did these two ethernet switches die (again)?
surge arrester basically only MOV which the characteristics slower to react such high spike of potential energy created by vacuuming a carpet. carpet it self discharge over 4KV not sure how much it can get if contacting with vacuum cleaner.. it will be overkill by your Ethernet cable shield. 

the discharge highly likely to jump on your Ethernet cable since no way such EMI could kill your ethernet, i have never seen the problem occurred by EMI in line power since the most modern device use EMI filtering.

and highly unlikely your switch have protection against such discharge spike from carpet with MOV connected to ground shield for your every port. usually only put MOV in power supply for your switch.

try to move your ethernet cable, put it high over ground.