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This is a follow on question from the UPS versus Surge Protector.
Do you turn off your electronics during a thunderstorm? Is it safe to leave an item if you have a surge protector?
Let me put it to you this way:
Two years ago my brothers computer was affected by a T-Storm and his computer was plugged into a high grade surge protector. What happened is that he heard a "zip" sound from the rear of his computer - well the ethernet input in that motherboard got "fried" but luckily not the rest of the motherboard.
So he and I always unplug the surge protector.
If I hear that there's a T-Storm chance for the day and I'll be away from home for all or most of the day - I unplug it not taking that chance.
This is what we do, if you don't your experiences and luck may vary.
Turning them off helps prevent damage if the power flickers, but unplugging devices from power and from wired network connections is the only sure way to keep lightning out of your electronics. I talked to a computer technician a few years ago whose company got to repair every computer in a school computer lab when lightning got into the building network wiring.
Even so, I don't unplug and only rarely turn things off.
This is a follow on question from the UPS versus Surge Protector.
Do you turn off your electronics during a thunderstorm? Is it safe to leave an item if you have a surge protector?
If it is a mild storm, I usually don't worry too much about it because I have quality surge protectors for all of my devices. If it is very heavy, I will unplug them all as it is the safest course of action.
In most cases a surge protector will be fine, as long as it is a quality one backed with a guarantee on replacement if it fails.
A long time ago, I lost a couple of modems to surges, but since using Isotels and such, I never had a problem. One Florida storm had a strike on the next-door neighbor's house. Curiously, the only item in our house that was damaged was an electric auto-off teapot. One thing that people don't consider is that any CF light that is on during a surge can be toasted.
heh. I just realized that I don't turn stuff off or unplug my equipment during a thunderstorm. We've had them daily for weeks now... and I have yet to lose power once.
heh. I just realized that I don't turn stuff off or unplug my equipment during a thunderstorm. We've had them daily for weeks now... and I have yet to lose power once.
It's not only "if" power goes off and back on but possible "spikes" & surges in the electrical current while still ON that can have an adverse effect on electrical equipment/components in a T-Storm.
It's not only "if" power goes off and back on but possible "spikes" & surges in the electrical current while still ON that can have an adverse effect on electrical equipment/components in a T-Storm.
No, Im well aware of this. We actually had a surge at work that caused the lights to flicker yesterday due to a T-Storm.
My PC is behind a surge protector, and some of my equipment even has its own mini breaker on the suppressor to ensure that it doesn't trip the breaker, either direction. So, I'm fairly secure. I'd love to get a UPS... but cannot afford it.
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