2006-10-30 17:13:04 · 16 answers · asked by trish 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
Surge protectors are absolutely useless if lightning strikes through your power line. A good lightning strike through a power line can toast the surge protector and anything attached to it.
During an electric storm a computer power plug should be unplugged and also the telephone line (dial up /DSL modem) or cable modem should be unplugged to prevent a massive electrical overload in a direct hit or near hit. Lightning can easily travel either type of line. .
I use a surge protector power strip and disconnect that when a storm is around. I also unplug the modem. This isolates my computer and other electrical devices.
A friend always unplugged his modem. Excess electricity from a ground lightning strike went up his power line fried his motherboard, twice. He finally learned. He also got a surge protector made for computers.
Better safe than sorry. Lightning is a very powerful electrical source. Having a good book handy to read until the storm passes is a good way to pass time because talking on telephones in an electrical storm is also not recommended, especially if you don't happen to like fried ear.
2006-10-30 17:43:11 · answer #1 · answered by Seikilos 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I make sure my computer is plugged into a power surge strip, but you can also buy a UPS, which is a battery that you plug into the wall and then you plug your computer into it. This protects your computer from power spikes and power loss, so if you loose power, it gives you time to save your work and shut down the computer. One time a modem of mine got fried during an electrical storm. I wasn't online, but somehow it got threw, so make sure you unplug the phone line from the computer, too.
2006-10-30 17:16:19 · answer #2 · answered by Hicktown girl66 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, I do anyway, when they taught me several years ago about the computer, and static electricity in school, we even had to touch something grounded before we were allowed to turn our machines on.
computers are very sensitive to static electricity as well as the surges in the power lines.
use a surge protected extension cord on your power to your machine and turn it off during a storm , and your TVs as well.
can't hurt anything and it might keep your machine protected.
in any case make sure you have lightning protection on your insurance policy.
2006-10-30 17:29:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
as others have said you need to make sure you are behind a good surge protector. And be sure it is one that protects all the inputs into your computer, not just power. They make ones that have LAN protection, cable protection, phone protection, and power protection. Find one that meets your requirements, but surges can come in over any of these wires.
2006-10-30 17:18:56 · answer #4 · answered by Brady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It became the capacity blinking on and off that tangled up each and every thing. A surge protector received't help with that or a lightning strike. Get a backup capacity equipment, like something made by technique of APC. I have my instantaneous DSL modem plugged into one. capacity is going off, i visit nonetheless use my MacBook wirelessly no challenge. telephone lines not often go down, they have their own battery backup equipment.
2016-12-05 09:36:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES - for TWO reasons.
Surges - all but the top-of-the-line models will be utterly useless if your power-line cops a direct hit.
If your power goes goes out when you are logged in, you risk driver corruption (or worse) by the instant shut-down caused. Simply not worth the risk
2006-10-30 17:29:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES, and then DISCONNECT / UNPLUG even a surge protector will not help if a near by power line takes a hit. In addition DISCONNECT your modem or cable connection 25,000 volts plus will cook all the electronics it gets near.
2006-10-30 17:27:04 · answer #7 · answered by ravenn222 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a surge protector on your power supply then it isn't necessary. If you don't have one then yes you should shut it down. They don't cost much, so if you don't have one go get one. All in all, it wouldn't hurt to shut it down, not worth chancing it if you are not protected.
2006-10-30 17:16:55 · answer #8 · answered by Aaron 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course! A lightening hit into a nearby power-grid feeding your home could fry your computer -- even if you have a surge protector.
2006-10-30 17:17:08 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ya sure you must shut your computer.Ones my LAN Card was crashed during electrical storm
2006-10-30 17:16:47 · answer #10 · answered by Srikant 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋