I live in SC and at times I am at work when a big storm hits. Should I shut my system everyday or just take the chance of getting hit by lighting??
2006-08-22 11:38:35 · 10 answers · asked by mark9ballr57 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Surge suppressors are not all built to high standards. Surge suppressors that are built to deal with lightening strikes are very expensive. Most of them you purchase are for power surges caused by the Electric Company.
If you are willing to to put your life in the hands of the people that designed and built the surge suppressor, then do as you please.
In 1985, doing a service call, I found a man that was struck by lightening while watching TV during a Thunderstorm the night before. The bolt struck his outdoor antenna, traveled into the set, exited through the tuner (in those days most tv's had mechanical channel selectors) and struck him in the heart. He was sitting in a recliner about 10 ft. from the set.
As I told another person asking this same question, "A short time of not using your computer will not kill you but, using it during a thunderstorm might kill you".
It's you decision.
2006-08-22 12:00:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if you have a decent surge protector you'll be fine. That's what it's there for. However, a lot of people think a $5 surge is just as good as a $100 Monster Power Surge protector.
As long as the amount of Joules (energy) protected on the surge is less than the computer you have nothing to worry about. That's what they are made for.
Just make sure it's not on the carpet, because that'll fry it (put a piece of wood under it). A common misconception is that a power surge only comes through the electricity. However, you can get a power surge through the phone line, cable line, or electric.
Hope this helps!
Jason
2006-08-22 11:42:05 · answer #2 · answered by JasonCrate 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on the quality of your surge protectors!
I have Monster surge protector but any surge protector that you pay at least 60 to 80 bucks for should protect your computer.
I am a service tech so I have seen 80 dollar surge protectors that have been hit by lightning and were melted to the floor and did not harm the computer. They will also keep that protection for years.
If you buy the Power Strip type from the hardware store they are barely sufficient to protect from even the slightest of power fluctuations and take enough power HIT's in one year to render them useless.
If you do not have quality surge protection I recommend shutting non-essential systems down.
Now there also is the UPS Uninterruptable Power Supply
That not only keeps the power going but evens out power fluctuations.
and even better yet or to be used in conjunction with the others is the whole house surge protectors that go in your electrical box and protect the whole house.
They cost about $250
2006-08-22 11:57:26 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a surge protector as well, but lightening still ran in through the phone line and fryed my modem. Not a big deal, everything else was ok. Now when there's a storm coming I just unplug the phone line from the jack.
2006-08-22 11:43:46 · answer #4 · answered by sparkie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've left mine on during bad storms and my surge protectors did their thing however if you know a storm is coming it's good practice to shut everything down anyway just in case.
2006-08-22 11:40:28 · answer #5 · answered by kitkool 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes=it can come in through power & phone lines.i have a surge protector with batery back up to shut down pc and have it pluged into another surge protector for double safty and the phone line runs through it also.and if i know a bad storm is coming or im leaving town for few days i unplug all.my sister lost one computer to a storm and i dont plan to catch up with her.i bought surge protecter with a gaurantee to replace up to $50.000 in damaged goods should it fail,but dont want the hasel
2006-08-22 11:52:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hasn't happened to me, but, that doesn't mean it can't.. Guess it depends on how much you value your system..
I'd say shut it off, at the very least, and pray that your surge protectors aren't the least expensive that you could get, cause, stuff happens..
2006-08-22 11:41:15 · answer #7 · answered by chuckufarley2a 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well im from SC to well yea it best to shut ur computer down when it lighting b/c it can tire ur computer so when a storm comes unplugg everything
2006-08-22 11:41:33 · answer #8 · answered by tpowers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes either that or prepare to pay thousands MAYBE millions of dollars play it on the safe side dude =D
2006-08-22 11:40:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nah 20 years and I never have, nor will I
2006-08-22 11:39:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋