Why are electronics stores selling surge protectors,claiming they protect against lightning?

Answer 1

That is to say they protect your electronic devices from the damaging effects of electronic surges caused by lightning. It's not saying 'this device keeps lightning away.'

Answer 2

The main job of a surge protector system is to protect electronic devices from "surges." So if you're wondering what a surge protector does, the first question is, "What are surges?" And then, "Why do electronics need to be protected from them?"

A power surge, or transient voltage, is an increase in voltage significantly above the designated level in a flow of electricity. In normal household and office wiring in the United States, the standard voltage is 120 volts. If the voltage rises above 120 volts, there is a problem, and a surge protector helps to prevent that problem from destroying your computer or other electronic equipment.

Power surges occur when something boosts the electrical charge at some point in the power lines. This causes an increase in the electrical potential energy, which can increase the current flowing to your wall outlet. A number of different things can cause this to happen.
The most familiar source is probably lightning, though it's actually one of the least common causes. When lightning strikes near a power line, whether it's underground, in a building or running along poles, the electrical energy can boost electrical pressure by millions of volts. This causes an extremely large power surge that will overpower almost any surge protector. In a lightning storm, you should never rely on your surge protector to save your computer. The best protection is to unplug your computer.

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But hey, if you do use a surge protector and they company that makes it says it can protect during lightening and it does not, the company usually has to refund you the cost of the damaged equipement or replace the equipment for you. The problem lies in proving this however.

Answer 3

When lightning strikes near or directly to your house, it can create a surge that is 1000000+ volts. That will overpower nearly any surge protectors. Your computer can be damaged, even if it's connected to a good surge protector. I have a surge protector that costs $150 for my computer and TV, and a lightning completely destroyed my surge protector. The only surge protectors that can protect against lightning are the ones that costs $1000+, or UPS(uninterruptible power supply). UPS might stop lightning, but it will get extremely damaged itself, so it is like a suicide action.

Answer 4

Because lightening can hit the wires in your house, & travel thru all the wiring & if your computer is in that circuit, then it will be fried. The surge protectors will take the hit instead of your computer. There are also power surges that come across from the power company that can damage equipment. I have them on just about every receptical in my house! It is a little bit of insurance! Even if your surge protector burns out, it is cheaper to replace than your expensive electronics!

Answer 5

Usually when lightning stikes, it knocks out the power. When it returns, it comes back as a surge or a rush of power. Unprotected, surges damage electronics and may even start fires, so surge protectors tend to channel the sufficient power to the appliences equally, and either absorbs or dissipates the rest!

Answer 6

Because, to a slight extent, they do. If lightning strikes a power line near your house, no surge protector will save your electronics, but if it strikes some distance away (so that circuit breakers, retard coils, and other such protective gear catch most of the energy) it could help. Personally, I don't use one, but the power lines to my house are buried, and I live in an area where lightning is uncommon.

Answer 7

Because surge protectors were designed to protect against power surges, such as those experienced due to a lightning strike.

Answer 8

because if lightning strikes your house, or even just near your house, a surge of electricity gets sent through all the wires in your house. If the TV or whatever gets struck directly, the surge protector obviously can do nothing.

Answer 9

Surge protectors are only as good as the money you pay for them. Alot have a maximum voltage they can handle, after that it can't do any more. $19.99 gives you minimal protection. Regardless a direct stike by lightening cannot be protected against by anything.

Answer 10

when something close like power lines get struck they get a surge of energy, that surge can damage or destroy computers and other electronically devices, that protects these devices from that dangerous surge of energy