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Protecting Computers From Lightning?
rackrent writes: "I'm wondering what others do, both in their workplaces and homes to protect from lightning strikes. One look at Intellicast's lightning page should make us aware how often this must affect computers. Again, just curious as to what everyone does to safeguard their machines against lightning."
When storm clouds are brewing overhead and lightning is striking all around you, how's about turning off and unplugging your computer from every place it connects to the wall? No process is worth so much that its clock cycles are more important than the thousands of dollars you've invested in your computer[s].
Cheers,
levine
Also put in a surge suppressor on your circuit breaker panel. A whole-house suppressor is slower than the type used on a power strip, but can handle much more power. This will divert large surges, and is actually to protect the smaller surge protectors.
Finally, use the power-strip style surge protectors. These are delicate fast-acting suppresors which can protect your devices from minor surges.
Here is a description of this multilevel protection.
For the home/small business network, Home depot does sell a unit as described above and it took about 15 minutes to install. It will absorb the hit, however your house will pass some of it along the circuits. I believe they are really designed to stop a fire more than anything else.
You will be a happy camper if you then have a surge protector too. This should stop all but a direct hit on your house. The power coming in is like a magnet I'm told. If you are going to get hit it will almost certainly be on or around where the power comes into the house. (I am not an electrician...)
Okay, we got the power covered, goodjobbob told you not to forget the modem, easy to do, but many of the surge suppressors have a built in line protector. However, remember that Cable/DSL modem too. You probably accepted responsibility for it when you got it from your broadband supplier. Have a UPS? Front end it with a protector. Even though it has one built in, the UPS is much more expensive than the protector is, so save it from itself.
My approach is that if it in any way, shape or form enters equipment from outside the house I put a protector on it. That would include your stereo, TVs, DVD player, VCRs, regular phone (the 2+ghz one that set you back $100) all that fun. I try to buy names I recognize and that can be screwed into places. This lets me hide a protector on the back of the stereo cabinet, etc.
Next check out the insurance policy. Why after putting all this in do you need to worry? Sorry but a direct hit is coming in, jumping through most everything and ruining your day. That is also why, in severe thunderstorms, if possible I unplug the computers and the phone lines.
Life's not fair, but it beats the alternative...
This is what I tell most of our customers when they ask about lightning: "If your antenna is directly hit you're pretty much screwed". (Acutally this might be a good place for an appropriate goatse.cx link to illustrate how badly screwed).
I then go on to say that 99.9% of the damage is actually not caused by a direct hit. In fact, the purpose of most "lightning arrestors" is really to drain/discharge the static an antenna picks up.
This also applies to Power/Phone/Satellite TV, etc. etc. etc.. If lightning hits the pole outside your house, you probably will loose equipment. My personal experience is that even if the stuff doesn't immediately fail, you will have ongoing problems with anything exposed to that level of problem. Yes I've seen it.
That said, you can protect yourself in most less extreme cases. Unplugging EVERYTHING is always the best option but in reality isn't really an option for most people. The path I take is to go buy the best surge suppressor and/or ups that you can find. I personally prefer APC's. Most, if not All APC units include an equipment replacement guarantee so if you do take a direct hit you're covered. Remember to supress EVERYTHING. The power line, the phone cord, the satellite antenna cable plugged into the satellite receiver attached to the same power strip, etc. etc. etc. Lan surge supressors are highly recommended, especially if you go anywhere near outside with the cables, or to a "non protected" hub or similar.
Generally for the protection warranty to be effective you must make sure everything is protected or the warranty is void.
Hmmm.. I'm sure there's something else I wanted to add, but I'm not sure what, so I guess I'll quit rambling :)
And remember, off-site backup is always a great idea...
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1. Backups to tape/cd
2. Insurance - rental insurance is cheap and homeowners insurance is a necessity. Most insurance companies will cover such damage.
If your house gets stuck by lightning, and your house doesn't have a lightning rod or grounded antenna, most of the electronics in your home will be utterly destroyed. If your house or power pole gets hit by lightning, the current will arc across the blown fuse of a surge protector anyway.
Conformity is the jailer of freedom and enemy of growth. -JFK
Many Hams use products from PolyPhaser http://www.polyphaser.com/ that are designed to handle a direct strike. They also have information on "What is Lightning?"
Also, the ARRL has the ARRL Handbook, which has information on Lightning and protection as well.
Lastly, Don't forget that the Telephone line is a very common way for the lightning to enter your equipment.
What do I do in known lightning storms, besides the PolyPhaser protection? I disconnect my antennas and place the ends in a ceramic jar (Just in case).
I like this page better for lightning, its map is always up.
I came home once to find that my sister had plugged her surge protector into yet another surge protector, I loved it. Just an idea. I don't think it will do anything, I just got a kick out of it.
spacefem.com