Currently, there's been many thunderstorms and lightning strikes in my area. I haven't been struck yet, and hopefully it won't happen. I've heard of local incidents where peoples computers, stereo's, etc have stopped working after an enormous shock or w/e it was. I can't afford to let that happen to my computer! it costs a fortune.. so anyway, i currently have a power bar something like http://www.hammondmfg.com/p0801.jpg (i found the pic off google)... so anyway, I have my PC, monitor, stereo, and phone plugged into it. Am i safe to just turn the switch to 'off' when there's a storm, or will i need a specially designed adapter? Any advice? I ended up unplugging everything last night because i was so scared..
2006-07-25 07:11:23 · 7 answers · asked by catsarecool 2 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Other - Electronics
No surge protector in the world will protect against a near hit of lightning, even if it is off.
If you are that worried about it, unplug your pc when there is a storm. Don't forget your phone/cable line also, it will conduct power too!
2006-07-25 07:15:53 · answer #1 · answered by bbyhtguy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, the power bar you have is useless against a lightning strike and most will be, even good ones.
The lightning doesn't even have to hit your house or near your house. It can hit the power grid at some distance. The voltage surge can travel to your house through the power wires and damage anything plugged in. A lightning strike has an incredible amount of voltage in it with an extremely fast rise time. It can easily jump across open switches such as in a power strip and damage the equipment plugged into it even if the equipment is off.
I'm not trying to scare you, just point out the facts. I would recommend getting a good surge protector. Something like an Tripp Lite Isobar. Here's a link:
http://www.tripplite.com/products/suppressors/index.cfm
This can protect you against a lot of surges, which can happen even without lightning, but nothing is foolproof.
You are doing the best thing. Unplug your equipment. Having a good surge suppressor that you have your equipment plugged into is basic safety. Then unplug the surge suppressor during lightning activity. Don't forget the phone line or cable modem as well. Any external conductor that connects to your equipment should be disconnected.
2006-07-25 15:56:11 · answer #2 · answered by wires 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am the same. I have good surge protectors but when we have an electrical storm I don't trust it and unplug everything at the socket. We have a lot of storms in this area. I won't go outside or near a window take a shower or use a faucet. I won't cook or use any other appliance or go near a window!Do you hate high winds too? UHG!
2006-07-25 14:17:58 · answer #3 · answered by gone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cases of devices, or ppl, being struck by lightning is very rare. During an electrical storm, I simply shut down my pc and unplug it both from the outlet and phone line and it has never been hurt during a storm.
2006-07-25 14:16:38 · answer #4 · answered by RainCloud 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should get one of the specially designed power strips that guards against power surges (what happens when there's an electric storm/lightning issues). You should be OK then. Maybe get one with a battery backup?
2006-07-25 14:16:02 · answer #5 · answered by HeatherLyn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless your house is the tallest structure around you won't get hit. But yes, unplugging your appliances will keep them from getting fried.
2006-07-25 14:37:12 · answer #6 · answered by Cybeq 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i often worry that a big rock is going to fall out of the sky and hit my head then i think ohhhh I'm a big boy and got more important things to do than worry about than environmental oddity's
2006-07-25 14:22:21 · answer #7 · answered by sinnerrgonetohell 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋