2006-06-28 10:33:50 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
because you dont have a surge protector
buy one and you wont need to worry
2006-06-28 10:36:23 · answer #1 · answered by St Guido 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To give a framework for why one should shutdown such things as computers, I'll start here: An "average" lightning bolt rates in at some 30,000 Amps and several hundred thousand Volts. For reference, it is possible for 0.1 Amps (1/10th of an Amp) to kill a human being.
Surge protection devices do help, but they are not perfect. The energy that can be pumped into a home's electrical system by a direct strike can be very high. Using the "average" bolt information, some 9 Gigawatts of power is released (About 1.2 million horsepower).
Now, this isn't an exact statement, but you can think of a surge protector of something like a fuse or circuit breaker. When they trip, the switch opens, breaking the circuit and stopping the power flow. Where it can get nasty is when enough energy is dumped into such a device that it can jump across the air gap, allowing the surge to continue through into the rest of the circuit (in this case, a PC).
It is also possible that such power levels may be able to fuse shut such devices, making it worthless as a protective device. (Granted neither of these are common, but both are possible.)
In short, it is a good idea to avoid using the computer during such a storm, though it is safer than using a non-cordless phone.
2006-06-28 11:42:29 · answer #2 · answered by Dragosani 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lighting stricking near a power line will "add" electricity to that line. This added electricity will move thru the line to a house and into any electric appliances pluged into that wall.
Electric appliances are made to accommodate a certin amount of current.
More current than that will "fry" the internal parts.
By unplugging the appliances you prevent them from being harmed.
This serge of current as it is called, will not necessary harm anything, but it could if it is Strong enough.
Turning off an appliance will cut down on the risk!
2006-06-28 13:08:16 · answer #3 · answered by weatherman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The MIL has a bent to flick the potential on the mains for the time of an electric powered hurricane so which you won't be in a position to apply laptop computers. My part of the dwelling house gets very usual whilst this occurs- i take advantage of a working laptop or computing gadget computing gadget with a on the spot modem and that i've got a battery operated television. no longer purely that yet because of the fact MY kettle is the only range suitable one interior the dwelling house they ought to play stunning with me in the event that they want a cuppa!
2016-10-31 21:07:18 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because unless you have a surge protector that the cable/phone line/ethernet can go though also, you have a chance of frying the entire thing.
It happened to us! We have surge protectors, but the lightning, according to the cable company, traveled through the cable and damaged my mom and my computers, and my brothers computer was completely fried, and he lost everything on it.
(It also fried our plasma tv, our theater room projector, the digital cable boxes, anything that the cable line went through).
We've learned our lesson, everything is getting unplugged next time.
2006-06-28 10:39:34 · answer #5 · answered by Bean 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because if you don't have a surge protector you could mess up your computer. A couple years back a surge went through my house and blew out all the TV and everything else that was not protected by the surge protector.
2006-06-28 10:41:21 · answer #6 · answered by CPSweetie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't shut your computer your computer will be electrocuted and you won't be able to use it anymore and if you touch your computer after the storm and you left your computer on you may get shocked
2006-06-28 10:39:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i believe the lightning can travel through the cables and into the computer causing it to pretty much destroy it.
2006-06-28 10:36:46 · answer #8 · answered by John K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you might get electrocuted or your computer could get hit by lightning.
2006-06-28 10:37:24 · answer #9 · answered by A - Riv 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Becuz if lightning would possibly strike your house your computer would catch on fire. This can be very dangerous!!!
2006-06-28 10:37:04 · answer #10 · answered by curiousgeorge2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should unplug all electrical appliances, not just shut them off.
if lightning hits your power line and travels into your house it could fry you tv, stereo, computer anything.
2006-06-28 15:07:45 · answer #11 · answered by JCCCMA 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋