Will a battery backup (UPS) really protect your computer if your house gets hit by lightning?

[Kaido]

I've always kept at least a surge protector on every computer. I have a couple different battery backup units (UPS) now on the main computers. Will a battery backup unit really save your computer if your house gets hit by lightning? How about a surge protector?

 

[crimson117]

Originally posted by: Kaido
I've always kept at least a surge protector on every computer. I have a couple different battery backup units (UPS) now on the main computers. Will a battery backup unit really save your computer if your house gets hit by lightning? How about a surge protector?

Depends the strength and quality of the surge protector. Check the box, ask a salesman, and check whether there's a warranty against lightning damage.

Also, find out if your house has a lightning rod - it directs any lightning strike safely along a wire and into the ground, instead of through your house.

Battery Backups keep your computer powered even if the power fails, but most Battery Backup devices also incorporate surge protection.

 

[joecool]

what he said, however, keep in mind how amazingly powerful a direct lightening strike is. the best protection in a storm is to unplug any devices you're worried about. the nice thing about the surge protector is that you only have one thing to unplug, not many!

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: joecool
what he said, however, keep in mind how amazingly powerful a direct lightening strike is. the best protection in a storm is to unplug any devices you're worried about. the nice thing about the surge protector is that you only have one thing to unplug, not many!

heh, I should just buy a laptop.

bought a Belkin 1100VA UPS online today. link to thread. I have a 500VA that I gave to my dad which works great.

 

[Dman877]

If lightning hits a house without a lightning rod, it doesn't matter what kind of surge protection or ups your electronics are plugged into. This actually happened to a friend of mine and the insurance people told her that within a year, everything electronic in her house, whether surge protected or not would fail. They were right, one after another every computer, appliance, light etc just stopped working, the stuff on surge protectors went with everything else. That wasn't the worst part though, her septic pump also got blown and the line to the septic field was uphill so it backed up into the house! The sh!t literally hit the fan .

Think of surge protectio as more like insurance. They usually give you 5 or 10 grand worth of equipment protection on average surge bars, a good ups will have up to 50 or even 80 grand worth of protection though.

 

[piasabird]

Benjamin Franklin Invented the Ligtning Rod!

Put up a lighting rod.

 

[piasabird]

Dont forget to unplug the Modem or network. The Telephone and Cable are sitting on top of the telephone pole right next to the Transformers.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: piasabird
Benjamin Franklin Invented the Ligtning Rod!

Put up a lighting rod.

I'm in a condo atm :\

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: piasabird
Dont forget to unplug the Modem or network. The Telephone and Cable are sitting on top of the telephone pole right next to the Transformers.

wireless

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Dman877
If lightning hits a house without a lightning rod, it doesn't matter what kind of surge protection or ups your electronics are plugged into. This actually happened to a friend of mine and the insurance people told her that within a year, everything electronic in her house, whether surge protected or not would fail. They were right, one after another every computer, appliance, light etc just stopped working, the stuff on surge protectors went with everything else. That wasn't the worst part though, her septic pump also got blown and the line to the septic field was uphill so it backed up into the house! The sh!t literally hit the fan .

Think of surge protectio as more like insurance. They usually give you 5 or 10 grand worth of equipment protection on average surge bars, a good ups will have up to 50 or even 80 grand worth of protection though.

how do you collect if you get hit? do you have to register first? I just ordered a 1100va belkin ups, hopefully it offers good protection.

 

[Dman877]

I don't know. She had homeowners insurance of some kind that covered everything for her. It should say what you have to do in case of a llightning strike or power surge where equipment is damaged in the manual though.