Ask Me Help Desk - Thunderstorms?

For over 20 years I faithfully turned my computer off during thunder storms. Even with surge protectors, I dreaded having my computer fried anyhow. I am sure my old Color Computer had a real on/off switch. I really question it with modern computers and monitors that have always on circuitry waiting to activate a relay at the touch of a monetary low voltage switch.

I have lost 2 monitors that no longer turn on, or shut off right away, because the circuit that detects the computer signal is shot. I can not be sure whether either quit soon after a thunder storm. Does it really do much good to power down, when essential circuits are still connected to the power line?

Also, since I added a UPS to this PC, I have bravely surfed through the storms. Unfortunately, I made the stupid mistake of buying a cheap one. As long as the power is on, I think it feeds right, through bypassing the power supply, battery, and inverter. If so, only my surge protector stands between my computer and what ever comes in the power line. Does the cheaper UPS do anything except provide stand by power? It is a Powmax DataSafe 650.

Hi Labman.Here in the UK I use a surge protector against thunderstorms,and electricity mains spikes.Obviously I do not have to worry about the ferocity of Florida's storms (even though an experience in Orlando frightened me nearly to death),but occasionally the skies have gone awol and the flashes of blue and orange do look spectacular,till your PC goes up in flames!
Have a look at this site http://brickwall.com/index.htm in San Diego,CA,as apart from the usual sales pitch,they have a section at the bottom where you can ask questions about their products.They claim to be one of the leading companies that deals with thunderstorm-PC protection.I would'nt know myself,as I don't know anything about them,but as they are stateside they might be worth a look.

All the best,
Nez.

I believe the surge protectors will handle a thunderbolt. Don't quote me on that though. I've lost a PC to a thunderstorm before. I had it plugged into a surge protector, but those aren't much use if you have it also plugged into a phone line via your modem. My telephone wires etc. must have got hit, the surge going through my modem and blowing my power pack. Sorry that didn't answer the question but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTheobald

I believe the surge protectors will handle a thunderbolt. Don't quote me on that though. I've lost a PC to a thunderstorm before. I had it plugged into a surge protector, but those aren't much use if you have it also plugged into a phone line via your modem. My telephone wires etc. must have got hit, the surge going through my modem and blowing my power pack. Sorry that didn't answer the question but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Telephone wires are not an issue for me, the nearest one is about 60 feet away from my house, see www.vonage.com. I am somewhat concerned about my cable. It has a lighting arrestor, and the modem it connects to belongs to the cable company. I figure if voltage from their cable damages their modem, they must replace it. The modem has a router between it and any of my more expensive devices, or data storage.

Thanks to both for answering.

Hi,me again.You've made an interesting point,as I use broadband via cable,so like you phone wires are'nt an issue.My modem and cable box belong to the local cable company,with everything going via my TV cable box-modem-PC.If for what ever reason,and I'm no electrical engineer,my cable box,or modem,or both exploded (God forbid) the company would have to replace them.If the damage wrecked my PC,to say I would be very annoyed is an under statement.I'm not sure whether my house insurance would have to pay up,or the cable company?

I know who the family legal department would talk too first!

Nez.

Adding to my vulnerability to thunderstorms, I am adding ViewSonic VB50HRTV TV tuner. It goes between the computer and monitor. Off, the monitor signal goes through it to the monitor. Turn it on, and connect 75 ohm RF, S video, or C video, and it displays it on the monitor. Now that makes a connection between the TV antenna on the roof and the computer.

Until I pick up a monitor extension cable, I am swapping cables. Question, how does a monitor know to give the no connection message instead of going to sleep like the computer had gone to sleep in the Energy Star mode?