Thunderstorms and Computers

[greengoose1]

An apt name for this time of year I think from listening to Train. We do a thread on this every once in a while to enlighten and remind that thunderstorms and lightning do not mix no how no way in any manner. If combined the computer always loses.

Let's see, surge protection, input lines (not just power), backups, and procedures are a few things that will need to be covered. Any more items?

[SuperSparks]

A UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) is an essential bit of kit in thunderstorm prone areas (and very useful anywhere else too). Even if the lightning strike doesn't zap the computer directly, it can still take out the mains electricity supply, which can wreck hard drives. Having a UPS not only offers unsurpassed surge protection, it will keep the computer running for long enough to shut the machine down safely. A small good quality UPS will cost around the same as a hard drive, so we aren't talking megabucks here.

[DrMDJ]

OK, so say I'm looking to buy a UPS to protect a particular PC and its associated peripherals. What are the key things, or features, or specifications I need to be concerned about? How do I know which ones are acceptable and which ones aren't, which ones will meet my needs?

Even when it comes to basic surge protectors, you see things like joules numbers and clamping voltages. What's good or bad? What's important or meaningfull in the selection process?

[greengoose1]

Got to thinking if the lightening strike took out the input power line circut breaker/fuse box a nice little generator wouldn't be bad to have.

[DrMDJ]

LOL. My first thought is that if we get to the point where we start getting generators so that we can keep our computers going then what we need to get more than a generator is to get a life.

[usil]

It would be a good idea to make sure that the UPS also has protection for the phone line. I have seen too many times where the modem got fried from a storm.

[DrMDJ]

Absolutely Usil. Electricity will follow (or try to) any path it can. My rule of thumb is that I provide protection for any wire (electrical or not) coming in to the PC. Either the wire itself goes through some sort of protective device or the place from where the wire is coming gets the protection.

[greengoose1]

A generator would ensure life around here by also keeping the fridge and freezer at the correct teperature. Thus ensuring life.

Hi usil, Sure didn't take long for you to show. Great. (I betcha your daughter has her mother's looks does she not? LOL)

That router is a one time surge protection device is it not? Cheaper than the computer, aye? But even though there are devices for the phone line all of the protection devices will not stop a direct hit. But a question would be, just how much of a spike would they stop?

[P3-450]

I dont live in a thunderstorm area so Ive never really thought about having a UPS.

What i have now is just a normal surge protector where I plug in my computer and other stuff nearby.

If by chance there was a lightning storm, what would happen? How far will the surge protector go before it blows something?

[JPnyc]

I just power down the desktop, and boot up the laptop until the storm passes.

[DrMDJ]

That's cheating.

[greengoose1]

I dont live in a thunderstorm area so Ive never really thought about having a UPS.

What i have now is just a normal surge protector where I plug in my computer and other stuff nearby.

If by chance there was a lightning storm, what would happen? How far will the surge protector go before it blows something?

That is the sixty four dollar question. Consider that E (voltage)=I (current)X R (resistance). Now look at the tolerances in the specs of the miniature and micro components used in todays hardware. It won't take much. If E goes up then on the other side of the equation I will go up as the normal operation resistance stays the same. But if resistance starts to heat and the components burn or with enough voltage can explode. That is the point you fried your computer. The above formula is a DC formula not exactly what you would use if you are considering alternating voltage. But it illustrates the idea.

[JPnyc]

That's cheating.

Wait'll ya play cards with me.........

[Train]

Protecting our PC.

Surge protection, this is a normal musut have and if they are under $30, they are probably just outlet box on a peice of extention cord. A person has to really pay attention to the specifications here.
This item will help protect you from spikes in the power line.

UPS, has a battery in it and can help protect agains spikes and in cases of brownout [ voltage drop] take power from the battery to hold the voltage constant.

Lightning, there is nothing that can protect you pc. The best thing to do is to unplug everything from the tower after shutting it down. Yes, even the phoneline, speakers, those funny wires that go to the TV or what ever they go to. Otherwise, those wires leave a potential path for the lightning to travel over.

Most common item to get zapped is the dialup modem, because folks fail to unhook that wire.

The worst case I have seen, well the case was the only thing salvagable.

[DrMDJ]

Surge protection, this is a normal musut have and if they are under $30, they are probably just outlet box on a peice of extention cord. A person has to really pay attention to the specifications here.

Thus my earlier question, namely what are the important and proper specifications one should look at (for UPS and surge protection)?