Well seeing as in the summer we get at least an hour of thunderstorm-like weather a day (lightning included) it seems pertinent that I get a surge protector of some kind for protection. What is the cheapest thing I can use to help prevent a lightning strike from nuking my computer?
What's the cheapest route to protect my computer from lightning?
- Thread starter mitchafi
- Start date
In case you didn't have a look at the "General Hardware" forum earlier today, this matter has already been brought up.
Surge Protector
Basically, no surge protector can save your computer from being damaged in a lightning storm. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have a surge protector. Fluctuations in power can also damage computer components. The best thing one can do, IMO, would be to keep informed about the weather and unplug the PSU and other electric appliances before a storm. Hope this helps.
Surge Protector
Basically, no surge protector can save your computer from being damaged in a lightning storm. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have a surge protector. Fluctuations in power can also damage computer components. The best thing one can do, IMO, would be to keep informed about the weather and unplug the PSU and other electric appliances before a storm. Hope this helps.
Just get a very good surge protector... there is a VERY low chance of your computer directly getting hit by lightening. If that is to happen, be glad because you have been witness to natures miracles and your machine was the example.
Most likely, the power running to your computer would spike. A good surge protector should do the job of protecting it because the good ones have good warranties and guarentees.
Most likely, the power running to your computer would spike. A good surge protector should do the job of protecting it because the good ones have good warranties and guarentees.
The cheapest way.
Problem is, it's kind of hard to use the device when it is protected!
Get a decent UPS and you should be all set.
Keep your home's wiring in good shape by making sure all ground connections are tight and this will solve 99% of your surge related problems when combined with a good UPS.
Cheers!
Problem is, it's kind of hard to use the device when it is protected!
Get a decent UPS and you should be all set.
Keep your home's wiring in good shape by making sure all ground connections are tight and this will solve 99% of your surge related problems when combined with a good UPS.
Cheers!
Sorry, searched for "lightning" and "surge" before posting but didn't find the answer I was looking for. Thanks for the information guys. I guess I'll just be unplugging my machine often from now on. Right now I have a powerstrip that everything is plugged into but I'm not sure if it doubles as a surge protector or not.
Edit: What is the advantage of a UPS over a surge protector?
UPS = Uninterruptable Power Supply.
It keeps your computer running when the power fails completely. If your power flickers from distant thunderstorms and your PC reboots or freezes, a UPS will prevent that from happening. IMO the UPS should be standard equipment on all PC's UNLESS the computer is used in a room with circuits that are already protected by a central UPS system.
Cheers!
It keeps your computer running when the power fails completely. If your power flickers from distant thunderstorms and your PC reboots or freezes, a UPS will prevent that from happening. IMO the UPS should be standard equipment on all PC's UNLESS the computer is used in a room with circuits that are already protected by a central UPS system.
Cheers!
How big of a UPS would I need to keep my computer and monitor running in the event that the power went out? Do I just want the UPS so I can turn the PC off properly? Also, this doesn't offer any better protection against surges does it - so i'd still want to unplug my PC in a thunderstorm.
UPS protection can run from being about as good as a power strip to full galvanic isolation with over 120 dB of transverse rejection. ($30 APC or Cyberpower to $8,000 Best Ferrups/Deltec/Liebert, etc.)
APC UPS Selector is a good place to get started.
Cheers!
APC UPS Selector is a good place to get started.
Cheers!
The selector came up with this: Back-UPS ES 500. The other two choices weren't in my price range. Will this cut it just to protect my computer and give me a chance to shut down in the event that the power goes out?
Yes that will work fine.
If you have XP Pro you can use the UPS service to control your PC like if it were powered by a battery, i.e. notebook.
Cheers!
If you have XP Pro you can use the UPS service to control your PC like if it were powered by a battery, i.e. notebook.
Cheers!
I have used a APC office pro in an area notorious for bad power and surges, I never had a problem while others with ?surge power strips from Wal-Mart had the power supply and everything else fried to a crisp.
As noted before, the APC model that was recommended for you comes with a program that lets XP shut the computer down even if unattended. IMHO that is the only way to go.
As noted before, the APC model that was recommended for you comes with a program that lets XP shut the computer down even if unattended. IMHO that is the only way to go.
Most of the lightning damaged computers I saw while working in a shop in Tallahassee was via the modem. Definitely unplug the phone cord to the modem when not in use - or plug it into a good combo surge protector and unplug the line from the wall to the surge protector when not in use.
.bh.
.bh.
just buy a surge protector.. a good quality power supply helps, as they are usually surge protected as well, so if the jolt DOES get through to the PC, the surge protector in the PSU makes sure your PC remains intact. (I know this first hand) my Antec PP403X went out in a blaze of glory during a storm where the PC was off. the rest of my system remained 100% fine. had it been a cheap PSU, the system would have gotten wasted I am sure.
I have the 500VA model you showed. After I had used the thing for about 6 months, it just died and would do nothing but beep at me. I don't think it's worth the $68.
*edit* I do have a 22" monitor that sucks up to 140W, but that UPS can't even handle the monitor by itself. Even if the power never goes out, you will kill a UPS by plugging too much into it.
For the same price, you can get one that at least looks like a real UPS:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=42-101-208
Depending on your system, I'd probably either save up $100 for an 800VA model or not bother.
Hmm, could that have been bad luck? Also, did you RMA it? I hear about APC's an awful lot when dealing with UPS's, which made me think they were top of the line. You could be right, however, and probably are.
As with most things, you get what you pay for. The others here are correct of course the bigger the battery, and the more they cost, the more run time on the battery you get. If you leave your PC on unattended you should get the biggest one you can afford, eat hamburger at home for two weeks if need be. The cheapest route is an AM radio, the cheaper the better. The noise and crackle from the radio will give you plenty of time to shut down the PC, unplug the PC and the phone line, IF you are home and can hear the noise from the radio.
Muse
Lifer
- Jul 11, 2001
- 40,058
- 9,709
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I was in Tampa for a few days last July and the lightning storms were thrilling!
A UPS may be a good thing but I think you might want to think about a "whole house surge protector." These install at the electricity service entrance and I'm told by someone who knows that this is the only effective way of getting surge protection. Doesn't matter what kind of surge protector you buy and install or how you install it, it won't begin to do the job of a WWSP properly installed. They run around $50.
Here's an Anandtech thread I started on the subject (Subject: Do surge protectors protect your components?) and I provide great links inside for your edification:
Link
Check out especially the posts by w_tom. He's the real expert.
DISCONNECT the cable, phone line, power cord.
Surge protectors and UPS's won't save you with a direct strike, been there.
Surge protectors and UPS's won't save you with a direct strike, been there.
Muse
Lifer
- Jul 11, 2001
- 40,058
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Good advice, of course. It's stupid to not disconnect if you're in the middle of a lightning storm. But if they are a daily occurence, that would be a pain in the butt. I've NEVER lived where they are a daily occurence but I can imagine that you wouldn't want to have to disconnect all your electronic components every time. Check out those links I gave. It's actually possible to give yourself some pretty good protection if you do it right. I would put one more word in the thread title if I were the OP: effectively.
Currently:
Topic Title: What's the cheapest route to protect my computer from lightning?
Topic Summary: live in south florida and I'm afraid it's going to get toasted!
Created On: 06/22/2004 03:31 PM
I also live in S. Fla. and have a little experience with lighting protection.
You should not have to worry about your pc as long as your house is grounded properly. You could call an electrician to inspect but that is costly.
An easy way to chek your grounding is to find where the AC power comes into your house. Below the AC box you should see a grounding stake in the ground and a wire running to it from the Box. If the wire is smaller in diameter than your pinky finger you should get an electrician to install one that is.
Also make sure the grounding stake is the full length 8 feet long. Sometimes builders get cheep and cut them in half. You can check this by wiggling it in the ground. If it moves at all its cut in half. If you doubt that it is get the electrician to install a new one. You can buy them from the hardware store for about 20 to 40 bucks.
If all that is not taken care of then the best surge protected power strip in the world is useless.
Here is a site with some lighting info. http://www.lightningmaster.com/
You should not have to worry about your pc as long as your house is grounded properly. You could call an electrician to inspect but that is costly.
An easy way to chek your grounding is to find where the AC power comes into your house. Below the AC box you should see a grounding stake in the ground and a wire running to it from the Box. If the wire is smaller in diameter than your pinky finger you should get an electrician to install one that is.
Also make sure the grounding stake is the full length 8 feet long. Sometimes builders get cheep and cut them in half. You can check this by wiggling it in the ground. If it moves at all its cut in half. If you doubt that it is get the electrician to install a new one. You can buy them from the hardware store for about 20 to 40 bucks.
If all that is not taken care of then the best surge protected power strip in the world is useless.
Here is a site with some lighting info. http://www.lightningmaster.com/
ed21x
Diamond Member
- Oct 12, 2001
- 5,411
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what if you daisy chain the surge protectors? Would that offer compounded resistance to the resistor in the case of a surge during a lightning storm? But yeah, a decent APC UPS should be adequate, although nothing can stop a surge on the magnitude of a lightning storm.
Get a lightning rod, combined with a nice surge protector seems the best bet.
Also unplug it if your not using it.
I figure if you can get the lightning to hit a lightning rod instead of a power line near your house (most of that stuff is underground anyways, isn't it? Each area is different I suppose) or your house then your worlds ahead of the game.
Also unplug it if your not using it.
I figure if you can get the lightning to hit a lightning rod instead of a power line near your house (most of that stuff is underground anyways, isn't it? Each area is different I suppose) or your house then your worlds ahead of the game.
Yes a good lighting rod will help... but not to attract lightning. Lightning rods(good ones) dissipate the electrons trying to reach thier buddy protons up in the storm. Lightning jumps from the ground to the sky.
When you cant dissipate them say through the top of a tree being as a tree is non-conductive then the electrons leap to fill in the potential.
if electron = negative or ground
then proton = positive
anybody knows what happens when current passes from positive to negative?
Thats right !!! Voltage....
When you cant dissipate them say through the top of a tree being as a tree is non-conductive then the electrons leap to fill in the potential.
if electron = negative or ground
then proton = positive
anybody knows what happens when current passes from positive to negative?
Thats right !!! Voltage....
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