Lightning Strikes!

[Rosaboobie]

In the last few days we have had lots of thunder and lightning, and many people in Orkney have had their PC equipment and routers "fried". I certainly dont want to be without PC or internet over Christmas - Should I be switching off my PC and router at night? Or should I be unplugging them?

[draclvr]

I would suggest unplugging them.. especially if they are not on really good surge protectors. Turning them off doesn't do any good if they are still connected to the electricity.

[Jude]

I agree. Unplug them.

[draclvr]

We had a lightning strike very close to our house a few years ago - toasted my WiFi router. A lovely new heavy duty surge protector was sitting right next to it - ummm... still in the box! You can bet the new router got plugged into the surge protector forthwith!

[Rosaboobie]

I have the PC on surge protector, but not the router. I will rectify that today, but I think I will also unplug them every night. We really have not had much thunder and lightning since I have lived here, but as you may or may not know, we are in the midst of a terrible storm just now. All ferries cancelled for yesterday and today - let's hope that none of us here needs a vet in a hurry.

When I was in Jersey, Drac, my modem also took a direct lightning hit one night, and ended uf totally frazzled .

[Phlebas]

You might want to unplug from the phone socket as well as the power point - unless the phone/internet cables around you are all underground, you're more likely to take strike damage through those than from the power socket. My parents lost a modem that way a few years ago.

[Jude]

That's a good point about the phone line. Cable and FIOS lines, too, if they are strung on telephone poles (or have their "boxes" up on the poles.


When the electricity goes out here, sometimes it surges first or when it comes back on.


I lost my really nice stereo receiver/amplifier to a power surge a few years ago because I forgot to unplug it when I went away to my Mom's for Christmas for several days. Luckily ( :( ?? ) -- the receiver/amp bore the brunt of the surge and when it burnt out, it actually protected the rest of my stereo equipment that was hooked up to it.

[Rosaboobie]

Already thought to do that, Phlebas, cos that was how my Jersey router got fried, by travelling down the phone line!

Yes, all our utility lines are above ground here in Orkney!

[Rosaboobie]

A taster of the weather in Orkney today. As I sit at my PC, I am facing the sea and I can see the same waves in the distance!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-30416288

[draclvr]

I've been watching the weather there are it is indeed a "weather bomb!"

[Rosaboobie]

All planes and ferries cancelled for today and tomorrow - We are marooned LOL

Even the dogs wont go out - mind you, I dont blame them cos its so windy out there - so funny watching Benji trying to balance on 3 legs whilst swaying in the wind!

[LadyKestrel]

Canine kite just popped into my mind. Let's hope that storm blows itself out soon.

[Val]

Hang in there RB!! Awesome pictures online but can't be that awesome to be in the thick of things. Thinking of you! ♥

[Rosaboobie]

Never mind me, just tell my conservatory to hang in there LOL! I think the roof is trying to take off tonight!

[Val]

At least you still have power!! May that continue!!!