can you get zapped if you're on the computer/ phone during a thuderstorm?

Question

i saw htis once on mythbusters but i forgot the answer. my mom's freaking out right now; she thinks becasue it's storming i'm going to get killed.

Answer 1

not likely, most lightining strikes travel thru your homes plumbing, dont shower!

Answer 2

It is possible, but highly unlikely.
To be zapped through a computer or phone during a thunderstorm you would have to live in a house in a plain terrain with no other building taller than your house. Your house then would have to not have an electrical grounding to the earth. Both the computer and the phone would have to not have an operational power surge system. The computer/phone then would have to be operational with their metal parts touching your bare skin. Oh, and you would have to forget wearing slippers or shoes.
Even then, it is still possible the lightning would overcharge the electrical system in your house first, rendering all appliances disfunctional before it can even reach you.
One in a million chance.

Answer 3

Absolutely. If the conditions are right. I work telecom at a corporation and one of our trailers were hit on the weekend in the electrical box. The lightning went through the electrical, burning it out, jumped through our network cables and arching to the phones. We have UPS/Surge protectors on everything and it didn't matter. We just got lucky it didn't burn the place down.

Thank God it was on a weekend and no one was the office because if it had happened during working hours the result could have been devastating.

Again, this is under prime conditions and with a direct strike. If the lines get hit up the street, chances a relay will blow out or your circuit breakers will pop before it ever gets to you.

Answer 4

It is possible to get 'zapped' but it's not a high chance. The thing that you DO have to watch out for is your computer or phone being ruined. It mostly happens in computers though, I think. A lightning bolt can mess up your computer, and if it does, you won't be able to turn it on again.

Answer 5

For sure you can! If a bolt hits a power line leading to your house the voltage can be transferred to your computer. It is unlikely that you personally will get "zapped" but...your computer mother board can be fried. This did happen to me. Once and actual lightning hit...another time, a power sub station was hit, and when it came back on line there was a surge of electricity...both incidences fried my computer. I would suggest that if you are experiencing lightning...turn off and unplug you computer, and any other sensative appliances for that matter...TV, stereo etc.

Answer 6

IF the computer/storm is connected to the power main (no cell phones, laptops running on batteries) and IF lightning hits the circuit you're on... then yes

I once had a modem cooked alive because it was on during a storm.... but admittedly the incidence of such events is somewhat low.

Answer 7

yes you can .also do not shower or bathe.do not stand in an open area with a lot of windows or open doorways or an open porch area.and never stand under a tree.good luck.get off the computer and unplug it till the storm is past.i just read all these things a few days ago.info from my electric company.

Answer 8

If the computer is hucked up to a surge protector no. If you. house is properly grounded then if it did hit you house it wouldnt kill you. It will be enough to scare the **** out of you thats all. And don't take showers Your plumbing isn't grounded with water running though it.

Answer 9

not if your pc is plugged up to a surgeprotecter.... and the phone.. more than likely not because the cord that connects the phone cannot carry that much electricity.... if its cordless then theres no change and if you have a laptop then there is also no way you can get "zapped"

Answer 10

You can get struck through the phone. But with the computer, it will just short circuit and ruin your hard drive.