Heared a few thunder and saw a few lighning. Some people insisist on unplugging the computer whenever you suspect lighting. Myth? Should I unplug my computer? I mean are comptuters more sensitive than other electronics such as stereo, radio, microwave, fluorescent ballast, ansewering machine and whatever with electronics in it?
unplug computers when you hear thunder?
- Thread starter Jerboy
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As long as you have some sort of surge protector (even just a power strip with a fuse) you should be fine. There's a small chance that the lightning could hit a power cable and cause a surge, which would damage your computer.
If lightning strikes a power line close to you a pathetic fuse won't help much.
Your stuff is toast!
I disconnect when there is a heavy thunderstorm.
Your stuff is toast!
I disconnect when there is a heavy thunderstorm.
Necessary, no. Advisable, maybe. As long as you have something to intercept the charge (PSU), you should be fine. I just have a simple surge protector. Oh well. I like fire anyway 
nik
nik
If I had to protect electronically controlled appliances, computers, stereo, VCR, TV, electronic ballast, laser printer, monitor, telepone and all other gadgets, my room will be silent. I can't listen to the radio, because radio is unplugged. It will be damn dark, because light is turned off to protect ballast, no calling friends, cuz phone is unplugged...
Geekbabe
Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Many surge protectors can't absorb the shock of a lightning strike, so you'll still be screwed.
My family used to unplug EVERYTHING. We learned the hard way...our house was struck directly. It hit right above the window I was looking out of! I remember a bright flash, followed by the "POP!" of the master circuit breaker going, followed by a hot tingling, followed by an astoundingly loud clap of thunder.
I ran downstairs to find my parents sitting blankly in front of the dark television. The room was filled with the acrid stench of burnt electronics. I looked over at the TV and noticed smoke pouring from the back of it.
Most every piece of electronic more complex than a radio had to be replaced.
DId we learn our lesson?
No.
4 weeks later a whack of lightning went straight to the side of the house. Blew one of the shingles clean off. Everything we had replaced was now burnt again. Our insurance adjustor must have been ready to kill us.
After that we unplugged everything like crazy at the first sign of lightning....of course in the next 4-5 years it never happened again. Now my parents live in a townhouse bank and they aren't as concerned.
BUT my girlfriend lives atop a hill in north jersey and her house gets struck ALL the time! If it isnt' the house getting hit, it's the telephone lines. Once they unplugged everything but forgot to unplug the DSL line from the computer.
BLAM!
There went the modem AND the computer.
Your safest bet is to pull the plug, but depending on where you live it might not be a big deal.
My family used to unplug EVERYTHING. We learned the hard way...our house was struck directly. It hit right above the window I was looking out of! I remember a bright flash, followed by the "POP!" of the master circuit breaker going, followed by a hot tingling, followed by an astoundingly loud clap of thunder.
I ran downstairs to find my parents sitting blankly in front of the dark television. The room was filled with the acrid stench of burnt electronics. I looked over at the TV and noticed smoke pouring from the back of it.
Most every piece of electronic more complex than a radio had to be replaced.
DId we learn our lesson?
No.
4 weeks later a whack of lightning went straight to the side of the house. Blew one of the shingles clean off. Everything we had replaced was now burnt again. Our insurance adjustor must have been ready to kill us.
After that we unplugged everything like crazy at the first sign of lightning....of course in the next 4-5 years it never happened again. Now my parents live in a townhouse bank and they aren't as concerned.
BUT my girlfriend lives atop a hill in north jersey and her house gets struck ALL the time! If it isnt' the house getting hit, it's the telephone lines. Once they unplugged everything but forgot to unplug the DSL line from the computer.
BLAM!
There went the modem AND the computer.
Your safest bet is to pull the plug, but depending on where you live it might not be a big deal.
Originally posted by: baffled2
UPS's are our friends, this lan goes down only for maintance /upgrades
That still won't protect you when lightning strikes.
Nope, I have a 24 hour UPS here that would take anything, I could care less if there is a hurricane outside, if I have a dial tone on my phone I am fine.
Geekbabe
Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Originally posted by: Instagib
Originally posted by: baffled2
UPS's are our friends, this lan goes down only for maintance /upgrades
That still won't protect you when lightning strikes.
That's what I have insurance for
My friend went out of town. While he was gone, there was a nasty thunderstorm. He came back to discover his phone line had been hit and his modem and mobo were trashed. Everything else in the PC was fine and has been running for over a year now.
Since you, Jerboy, proudly proclaim you're on dial-up, I'll suggest that you unplug your modem too if you're worried.
Since you, Jerboy, proudly proclaim you're on dial-up, I'll suggest that you unplug your modem too if you're worried.
I never do. I figure, if lightning hits near me, then my insurance company will buy me a new PC.
Originally posted by: baffled2
Originally posted by: Instagib
Originally posted by: baffled2
UPS's are our friends, this lan goes down only for maintance /upgrades
That still won't protect you when lightning strikes.
That's what I have insurance for
You think Jerboy does though?
Originally posted by: cashman
Nope, I have a 24 hour UPS here that would take anything, I could care less if there is a hurricane outside, if I have a dial tone on my phone I am fine.
I'm quite amazed how uninformed many people are :Q:Q
Surge protectors gives you six outlets from one outlet and gives some protection toward little surge like when power company's power factor correction bank switches to accomodate for varying load, if at all.. Surge protectors are overrated. There isn't much in there. You'll see one or three nickel sized "surge absorbers", which costs five to ten cents each in box quantity.
UPS provides back-up power in case of power failure.
Neither does anything about big surge and if your modem cord is hooked up, you're just as vulnerable.
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