I need protection

[martin]

I've lost both a linksys and billion adsl router to lightning in the past year. I need some sort of lightning/surge protection but I've read conflicting reports on how well some of these products actually work. Some only seem to protect you against surges as opposed to lightning but I may just be getting confused by the terminology.

(I try to always unplug my router when the weather starts acting up but lost both routers while away from home)

If you've had some success with a certain product then please let me know about it and where I can get it. I wouldn't mind a link to the product if it is available online.

 

[killadoob]

simple

buy a ups for about 400 bucks cut an extension cable and make it a kettle plug

plug your router into it and your sorted, the best lightning surge protector u can get

 

[The_Techie]

From what I've read a UPS doesn't stop a direct lightning strike. Have a look here and here.

Surge protectors and UPS units are not suitable lightning protection devices. These appliances provide some degree of protection from voltage spikes from everyday power surges and distant lightning strikes. But when lightning strikes a structure directly or very close to it, lightning protection system or not, all bets are off.

MYTH: A surge protector or UPS device will provide sufficient protection against all lightning strikes, including a direct lightning strike.
TRUTH: Unfortunately not. A common surge protector will stop voltage spikes and surges, but not the violent, catastrophic burst of current from a close lightning strike. Direct lightning current is simply too big to protect with a little electronic device inside a power strip, or even a hefty UPS unit. If your UPS or surge protector is in the way of the lightning's path, all or part of the lightning will just flash over or through the device - regardless of the amount of capacitors and battery banks involved.

 

[killadoob]

i dunno hey i know many ppl who i have installed ups's for never complained of lightning failure

would anything stop a direct lightning hit?

 

[The_Techie]

i dunno hey i know many ppl who i have installed ups's for never complained of lightning failure

would anything stop a direct lightning hit?

They probably didn't have a direct lightning strike

And I'm not too sure, not much of a lightning expert myself

But anyway, a UPS is definitely not the way to go to protect from near lightning, but should be fine for the surges and spikes of distant lightning strikes.

 

[eltherza]

Surge protected plugs/adaptors. One I have even plugs the phone line into to for my router.

Makro has some, so should telkom shops. It plugs into the wall, and then you plug your router's power into it (and phone too if you wish).

I also have surge protected adapters for my house, not as advanced as the router one though. Again, makro should have those.

Wont save you from a power failure though.

 

[martin]

simple

buy a ups for about 400 bucks cut an extension cable and make it a kettle plug

plug your router into it and your sorted, the best lightning surge protector u can get

This unfortunately does not protect the physical phone line as well but thanks for the suggestion.

From what I've read a UPS doesn't stop a direct lightning strike. Have a look here and here.

Thanks! That clears up a lot of my confusion on the subject.

Surge protected plugs/adaptors. One I have even plugs the phone line into to for my router.

Makro has some, so should telkom shops. It plugs into the wall, and then you plug your router's power into it (and phone too if you wish).

I also have surge protected adapters for my house, not as advanced as the router one though. Again, makro should have those.

Wont save you from a power failure though.

I've seen the unit Makro sells but thought it was slightly expensive (+/- R300) for a single plug adapter plus phone line. Incredible Connection sells a Belkin adapter 'strip' which is a bit cheaper and offers more value for money in my opinion. It also comes with a nice looking warranty.