I think it's lightening are you meant to get off computer and turn off tvs?

Question

ok its not lightening but normally if there was a storm would you have to?

Answer 1

You don't have to turn off your television but it would be a wise idea to turn off the computer, because if there were a direct strike to your house or phone line, it could fry the hard drive and you would lose all your files.

Televisions aren't susceptible to the same problems, so you can keep watching TV. I never turn off my appliances unless there is lightening... it storms rather frequently where I live, and there is no danger from precipitation or wind unless it is accompanied by thunder/lightening.

The things you're not supposed to do in a lightening storm include being on the computer, being on the phone, taking a bath or a shower, and being outside. The rest of it is ok.

Answer 2

Lightning may generate spikes in the power lines, which can potentially affect electronic devices. Usually, TVs are not that susceptible to lightning spikes, but computers (especially new, fast ones) are. Damage occurs usually not from one spike, but from cumulative effect of several spikes over time.

However, you do not need to turn them off during a storm; I never heard of a TV damaged due to lightning (although reception is affected); a regular extension cord with surge protector is enough. For newer computers, with high frequency CPU, you need a battery backup (even the lowest grade will do). Laptops are not affected, since their battery acts as a buffer.

Answer 3

It would be a good idea to shut off your PC in case of a power outage to avoid damage to files.

TV's and other appliances could be damaged significantly as well if there is a power surge from lightning hitting the house, transformers etc.. It doesn't happen too often but it does.

So yes its wise to take the percaution if you feel the lightning storm is severe enough.

Answer 4

Lightning has been known to enter buildings via the window without smashing them.
This is very rare but has been known to happen.
Just be careful and disconnect the computer and the person who said it's ok to keep the TV plugged,must have forgotten that any appliance that's plugged in will be earthed and the shortist point for a lightening bolt is to go to earth.
So please do yourself a favour and disconnect the cable.

Answer 5

Yes! Also, unplug everything practical, and don't believe that TV's are safe to leave on or plugged-up!

I had a direct hit in the early 90's, it came down the chimney on the inside of my apartment and destroyed every bit of my electronic equipment! WHILE I WAS STANDING THERE LOOKING AT IT! Everything was off, but it was still plugged-up into a surge suppressor!

Also, if it can travel from earth to sky, what makes one think a little wood, concrete, brick, or a surge suppressor for that matter is going to stop it? Proper grounding helps!

PS: I have an electrical and amateur radio background.

PPS: Believe what you want to, I have the pictures to prove it! By the way, no breakers tripped when it hit(it vaporized the wires to the outlet I was using - like cutting off a switch), it was a direct hit!

Answer 6

Loopee is wrong about TVs. If lightning strikes your TV Antenna it will blow the guts outta your TV. Seen it happen!!

However I don't disconnect mine because I can't get behind the wall unit to reach the cable and I have a surge guard which offers me $200,000 protection guarantee. In any case my insurance will buy me a new one if I take a direct hit. Computers yes, good idea to disconnect them just in case as you'll lose all your data if you get a huge power surge and it frys your HD. Good idea to have all electronic appliances protected by a good Surge Arrestor. Your Power Box fuse/circuit breaker won't trip with a power surge (that's a voltage spike which could be as much as 1,000 volts for a couple of milliseconds) only if you draw too much power.

Answer 7

If there is thunder and lightning around then it's a good idea to turn every thing off and unplug it from the wall, tv aerial and the phone line. Mate of mine's house was struck by lightning last year and it trashed everything electrical that was plugged in to anything. TV, PC, hifi, the lot.

Answer 8

July 2005 after a thunderstorm I turned my computer back on. About twenty-five minutes later a huge lightning flash, with the ground shaking, computer screen goes dark.
Next day a repair job at the computer shop!

Yes I have trip switches on the mains, a UPS with anti surge, and a telephone line protector.

Years ago at work lightning banged out a server.

Answer 9

My home emergency book states that phone lines and TV aerials should be unplugged. Electrical items should be unplugged as lightening could cause a serious power surge and blow them. If you hear thunder you are in danger of lightning strikes even if you can't see it. Lightning can travel 10 miles from wherever it originated from.

Answer 10

It would be a very good idea.

Adding to what someone else said about surge protectors ... if you have a modem in your computer, get a surge protector with a modem/phone line connection. I lost a modem once because the modem was plugged directly into the wall and we got a lightning strike. The computer was fine because it was plugged into a surge protector, but the modem was TOAST!