On Wed, 3 Jun 2009 16:22:57 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch
wrote:



Last year, I stopped using computer during a storm even though we have
a surge protector. FLASH-Bang and a huge spark jumps from the
computer housing to the grounded outlet, HUH? made no sense to me but
it cured me of wanting to use computer during storms.
Two yrs ago, came into work in morn to find whole place filled with
vacuum pump smoke and a whole leg of the 3 phase burned out. A
computer was fried and we had to run a new ground by drilling thru the
concrete and pounding it down 20'
Two weeks ago, one electron microscope died one night. Apparently a
strike fried a whole board of old 7400 and 7420 chips (electronic guys
will be able to tell the rough era of said scope from that)
Everybody in my neighborhood is on wells cuz we have no city water.
The wells with downhole pumps are always getting struck. My neighbor
has a well that is underground with nothing showing above (tank is
inside his garage) and it has been struck 4X. mine only once in 20
yrs, across the street twice.
A guy at work had his house hit last year when it came in on a natural
gas line. Fried most of his electrical system.
I could go on and on and on..........I have also been up close and
personal with lightning 4 times although I really try to avoid it.

You know, if you're really concerned about a piece of gear, the best
option is to unplug it when there's lightning activity.
A hit on your building wiring can fry everything in the building.
Doesn't even have to be on as the current jumps any switch.
And I've heard that surge protectors are useless for lightning.
They just can't handle the truth.
I still pull the plug on my pet computer when an intense storm comes
by.

--Vic