ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Even though I have surge protectors with supposed warranties covering what is plugged into them, I still unplug all my AV and computer gear during thunder storms.
My "reasoning" is that if electricity can move through the air (a rather bad conductor), it can surely jump any gaps in switches in a surge protector.
What your thoughts about this?
What do you do with your B & O and other sensitive equipment during thunder storms?
D
I do nothing.
If the building got a direct hit it would be an insurance issue, and I assume that would include surge via the aerial system. If it caused a mains surge and electrical equipment damage, the electricity company would be liable.
Graham
"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"
Lightning can do very strange things, even if you do use surge protectors and back-up-power supplies. It is always safest to unplug your electronics completely. I have insurance but replacing my vintage audio components would be too difficult to take any chances.
-sonavor
I unplug everything that has no real power switch.
Jacques
leosgonewild:Home-insurance.
OK if your insurance covers lightning strikes and doesn't consider them 'an act of God'! and won't pay up.
We have regular power outs and surges due to thunder storms where I live and I rely on surge protectors and the ELCB system we have in the house. Apart from that, occasionally, the main switch trips out on the meter on the road outside the house which cuts off everything to the property and is 100 metres away so I sometimes get a soaking to switch it all on again! Funny how onbody else seems to want to do it:
Dave.
I never unplug. Everything today is full of electronic, and I can't run around and unplug and plug in again every time there's thunder and lightning in the air. If the thunder already is over you, please don't unplug. Not nice if it strikes when you hold the electrical cord.
Yep, I always unplug. I've lost various equipment in the past (network routers), PC's etc due to lightening, so I don't take the risk.
Not quite the same as a lightning strike, but at my previous home there was a major break in the 240v mains supply in the road a couple of houses away. I can't now remember whether we had a massive surge at the time of the initial fault or just after the repair when the supply was restored, but all the electrical equipment in the house nearest the fault got fried. We had a burglar alarm transformer burn-out, and then some time after found a couple of chargers for hand held devices had burnt out.
The electricity supplier sent people knocking door to door immediately after the incident to check what equipment had been affected. They were no doubt trying to protect themselves from fraudulent claims further down the line; our burglar alarm repair invoice was paid out straight away but we had a bit of delay over the later discovered faults. No doubt some neighbours will have taken the opportunity to upgrade as many devices as possible.