Unplugging during thunderstorms

twopenny

Just wondered what the current thinking is.

We had a strike that ruined our routers one year (including the protected police station)
Have also been on a large room with windows at each end when a flash of lightening went right through.
So cautious.

No where I've lived has built in surge control.

I'll still take out the phone line/router at minimum. But you don't hear much about it these days.

Do you still unplug? 

grumbler

Surge protector is MCB-size and, AFAIK, can be added to any more or less modern CU with an empty slot. 

Eldi_Dos

twopenny said:

Just wondered what the current thinking is.

We had a strike that ruined our routers one year (including the protected police station)
Have also been on a large room with windows at each end when a flash of lightening went right through.
So cautious.

No where I've lived has built in surge control.

I'll still take out the phone line/router at minimum. But you don't hear much about it these days.

Do you still unplug? 

Modem dropped out and broadband automatically reset twice yesterday during thunder and lightning, can't say I have ever noticed that before.

Brie

No precautions taken other than not going out in a thunderstorm to play golf.  Not that I play golf.  

A tree at the corner of our house was hit once and the strike then went into the front corner of the house (parent's bedroom), diagonally to the back opposite corner which was my bedroom.  I was standing there and there was a bang flash and the bulb exploded in the ceiling light.  As far as I recall that was the only damage.  Then again we didn't have home computers at that time and I suspect the wiring was fairly heavy duty and could stand the strain.

unforeseen

ave also been on a large room with windows at each end when a flash of lightening went right through

Don't think so. If lightning had gone through a room you really would have known about it (probably in the Afterlife).  As a minimum it would have taken the windows out. 

Eldi_Dos

unforeseen said:

ave also been on a large room with windows at each end when a flash of lightening went right through

Don't think so. If lightning had gone through a room you really would have known about it (probably in the Afterlife).  As a minimum it would have taken the windows out. 

Ball Lightning ?

Have friend who is telecom engineer who went to repair someones line damaged in a storm and the householder described what sounds like ball lightning passing through their room at time of storm when lines where damaged.

Alanp

No, never unplug during a thunderstorm, nor do I cover mirrors so as not to attract lightning…

twopenny

Well, I was working on the floor in a corner, a line of bright light went right through the room window to window.

Friends watching TV were laid back in chairs against the wall on the other side of the room and saw it pass.

Near enough for me.

All the routers in a small area via phone line were rendered useless and the company replaced without question. Not so sure the current providers would.

Which seems to mean to my untrained brain that the same could happen with a socket.

Grumbler what is a CU?

Many of my plugs are inaccessible due to the design of the builders ie behind the freezer-fridge-washing machine to make it clean and fancy with the switches set in the back splash.

Slinky

We used to unplug the TV when I was a child and open some windows. Haven't done it for years though.

fenwick458

never considered unplugging during a storm.
I have fitted plenty of Surge protectors(99% of them in a new consumer unit , only one a as a separate job) and I'm still yet to find one or even hear of one thats operated due to a surge.
however I've also never (knowingly) suffered a failed appliance due to a surge/storm etc
you would expect to pay £150-200 as a separate job to have a type 2 SPD installed and would need to have 2 spare ways in your consumer unit, and thats assuming it's a modern consumer unit with DIN rail mounted MCB's and normal busbar arrangement, but if upgrading the consumer unit at the same time it's about £50 as the part comes built into the consumer unit and it doesn't require any extra labour to install

twopenny

Execelent Fenwick!

It's 20yrs old (now I think I know what  you're talking about) and I've just climbed up to have a look as it's in the wardrobe. Seems to be a sealed unit and no sign that anything else could be added.

As I've had to replace the freezer, the digi box and don't yet have a bathroom it's probably going to take a back seat.

I know in the past people have had TVs and such ruined and want to avoid any more expense than I've got.

I actually like storms, you can park out and watch them over the sea, and would only pop the plugs this if it was overhead.