Do you unplug your devices during a thunderstorm?

[Magnum]

Thunderstorms, what are those?

Sincerely,
Capetonian

Those damned capies. Real men live on the Reef.

 

[schuits]

Yes I unplug expensive devices and such.

Previously some stuff got damaged due to Eskom black outs and the resulting instability when it comes back on which surge protectors may help with.
Our insurance laughed when I tried to claim for a new PC as most insurers won't cover Eskom surges unless you specifically ask and pay for it.
So we now have surge protectors on devices and on the DB board. Also threw out old surge protectors as they were no longer functioning.

BUT we got hit twice and lost stuff both times.
A direct strike will laugh at any protection devices you have. It may also give you a mild shock if you are standing near a security gate watching the beautiful storm outside..lol.

 

[Brian_G]

Been hit once with a close-by which ruined some expensive stuff. We only unplug valuable stuff, and only when we can hear it's getting close enough.

 

[Lawnchairman]

Surge protectors don't help you in highveld storms.

 

[Johnatan56]

In Cape Town we unplugged pretty much everything except fridges, but it was quite rare.

Here in Vienna, and also in country side, I don't bother. Yes there are more thunderstorms, but there are so many lightning rods on buildings and within the city pretty much all power lines are underground (even the countryside stuff is often underground).

 

[Fulcrum29]

I used to, but don't anymore. Some years back, I had to assess a damaged network. Lightning struck a wireless node and did its thing. The company had to source two assessments.

Not applicable to the above, but modern electronics, or rather better-designed electronics, are more resilient to electrical incidents, though not immune.

 

[B-1]

No, but I have been pretty lucky. I lost a router, switches and raspberry pi last season but nothing 10years prior to that.
Maybe my neighbours have more steel in their house than me.

 

[wizardofid]

Have to out here, all power lines are above ground, so don't have much choice. Also metal roofs don't help.....

 

[haroldj]

No, I bought a Sony Bravia in 2009, still going strong, want to buy a new 4k tv, need the insurance to pay for lol.

 

[RedViking]

Just the dog.

 

[RedViking]

Surge protectors don't help you in highveld storms.

Those things are nasty. But then again, if you don't have lightning rods you are brave (or stupid)

 

[W@P]

 

[Smokey888]

No, I bought a Sony Bravia in 2009, still going strong, want to buy a new 4k tv, need the insurance to pay for lol.

I also still have a 40" Bravia bought in 2011 - still going strong.

 

[Hemi300c]

Nope, fibre and surge plugs and insurance if that fails.

 

[FiestaST]

I can't recall the last time we had a "thunderstorm" here in the Republic of Cape Town.

 

[3WA]

No. I sin every day, so I know God will send the lightning for me, not my stuff.

 

[Forum Reader]

No, but I've never lost a device due to lightning. However I do shut down my laptop and PC and go to bed and watch youtube videos till the storm is over. I can't sit in front of my laptop/PC when there is lightning. Always scared even though nothing has ever happened.

 

[Rumple4skin]

Yes back when I lived in SA. Never seen a power outage here though, not even during typhoons.

 

[labratza]

No

Since ADSL gone never have we needed to switch devices off.

 

[labratza]

I don’t miss that piece of copper wire burning out. Happened often enough.

always had to make sure had a spare router on hand with them and spare Nic(s)