Lightning, DSL, aftermath..

[NomNom]

So for the first time that I can remember the lightning has gone through my phone line. This happened last night in what must have been the biggest storm Durban has had in awhile. Luckily I had purchased a surge protector from Wootware about 2 weeks ago, one of these: http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=P5BT-SA&tab=features

I was gaming Battlefield 3 when it happened, just to my right where the surge protector and DSL router are I saw sparks, about 3 of them, then the internet went dead with a faint smell of burnt plastic. After a rather lengthy process I determined that the surge protector did it's job and saved my router, however the surge protector did not survive and seemingly the telephone cables also? and the phone/DSL part of the surge protector is now dead. So I am now left with a 5 plug surge protector and nothing to protect my router, options?

Stupid Question: Does the warranty cover the surge protector in this case?

What can I get to replace/fix said surge protector?

On a different topic when I game Battlefield, I can hear this strange crackling noise coming and going from time to time through my headset.. reason, cause? Otherwise my Pc seems to be fine, but given the strange sound coming through the headset there seems to be damage

 

[D3x!]

I would just be glad it actually did its job!

Perhaps the crackling noise was a result of the line first going through the surge protector?

 

[NomNom]

I would just be glad it actually did its job!

Perhaps the crackling noise was a result of the line first going through the surge protector?

Agreed, but I need to have it fixed or replaced now, since I have nothing protecting my kit from the next storm that comes along (other than unplugging everything)

Also the crackling noise is long after the incident, I have played another game and now my headset is making the noise, will play another game later today to see if it's still around.

 

[D3x!]

Agreed, but I need to have it fixed or replaced now, since I have nothing protecting my kit from the next storm that comes along (other than unplugging everything)

Also the crackling noise is long after the incident, I have played another game and now my headset is making the noise, will play another game later today to see if it's still around.

so it wasnt doing it before?

you connecting headset via usb, onboard sound ports or sound card?

 

[NomNom]

so it wasnt doing it before?

you connecting headset via usb, onboard sound ports or sound card?

Nah it wasn't, usb headset, is comes and goes now and then if I hear it again I will try to record it, going to play a game now to see if it happens again.

 

[RoganDawes]

Yeah, the surge protectors are effectively disposable items. Typically, once they take a big hit, they are useless further. Which is why I don't normally waste money on "all in one" surge protectors and multiplugs. The better approach is to buy a cheap(er) limited functionality surge protector and a more extensive multiplug.

Lightning takes out the surge arrestor, and you simply replace it with another of the same, limiting your outlay.

Same principle applies to the ADSL modem/router. Buy a cheap ADSL modem (~R200), and as fancy a router as you like. If anything does make it through the surge arrestor, the cheap ADSL modem gets fried, and hopefully your expensive router survives.

 

[D3x!]

Nah it wasn't, usb headset, is comes and goes now and then if I hear it again I will try to record it, going to play a game now to see if it happens again.

try a different usb port perhaps?

 

[Heisenborg]

We got wacked on Friday, tv, modem, decoder, amp etc. Everything had surge plugs, so it must have run through the dish and hdmi cables

 

[D3x!]

We got wacked on Friday, tv, modem, decoder, amp etc. Everything had surge plugs, so it must have run through the dish and hdmi cables

yeah when i got whacked in jan it went through my adsl, into the plugs and took out my pc, dstv decoder (then through the hdmi), the tv, fridge, amp etc

 

[rrh]

yeah when i got whacked in jan it went through my adsl, into the plugs and took out my pc, dstv decoder (then through the hdmi), the tv, fridge, amp etc

Category 3 surge protectors (i.e. plugs, multi-plugs etc) should be used in conjunction with category 2 (or 1) surge protectors (mounted in the DB).

A category 2 protector will cost between R2K and R3K fitted (approx - depends on number of phases).

As I have learnt the hard way, category 3 protectors (on their own) have a limited usefulness

http://engineering.electrical-equip...ution/how-choose-surge-protection-device.html

 

[Heisenborg]

Meh... 2k for a db plug. I have insurance for the unlikely event of a lightning strike...

Lol yeah i know

 

[GforceD]

Is your headset wireless? Do you have an electric fence?

Some surge protectors have a fuse which can be replaced cheaply.
If you getting a crackling noise (static noise) you may find your appliance/PC/TV or what ever is not properly earthed.So if you using a different multipoint plug now that your surge protector is dead I would try changing that.

If you got an electric fence, and it's arcing (sparking) at some point you may hear the popping noise though your head phones especially if they wireless head phones.

 

[bekdik]

Do you also expect to have a free replacement for a blown fuse?

Just go and buy another one.

 

[froot]

We got wacked on Friday, tv, modem, decoder, amp etc. Everything had surge plugs, so it must have run through the dish and hdmi cables

The same surge protector that NomNom showed, you also get a DSTV version, that protects your LNB cable.

My surge protector got whacked a few weeks ago, via the phone line, now I have to buy a new one - the surge protector no longer works on the phone line. I didn't see any screws in the surge protector so you could replace fuses though.
It only costs R200 so it's worth not having a R1000 router blown.

 

[MickZA]

Just for interest, from NomNoms link:

Protection Working Indicator
SurgeArrest will warn you if its circuitry has been damaged by heavy strike or power line surge and it is unable to provide 100% protection. If still under warranty, APC will then replace your damaged SurgeArrest free of charge

Guess this only applies if the light comes on

Question for NomNom, has the light come on or is it totally fried

 

[froot]

Just for interest, from NomNoms link:



Guess this only applies if the light comes on

Question for NomNom, has the light come on or is it totally fried

Mine's obviously not working anymore (the phone bit at least) but the "protected" light is still on...

 

[Gnome]

Agreed, but I need to have it fixed or replaced now, since I have nothing protecting my kit from the next storm that comes along (other than unplugging everything)

There isn't really a replacement for unplugging. You should be lucky your equipment didn't get damaged!

It's a SURGE protector not a LIGHTNING protector

 

[stroebs]

Ah brings back memories of every morning after a storm at our house in Joburg going into the office, whipping out a huge box of fuses and replacing almost every fuse in the switchboard.

Guess us capetonians are safe from this kind of stuff (Famous last words)

 

[J0n0]

Just learn to unplug the stuff when there is a storm. Don't be stupid and play games when that's going on outside. :wtf:

 

[NomNom]

Category 3 surge protectors (i.e. plugs, multi-plugs etc) should be used in conjunction with category 2 (or 1) surge protectors (mounted in the DB).

A category 2 protector will cost between R2K and R3K fitted (approx - depends on number of phases).

As I have learnt the hard way, category 3 protectors (on their own) have a limited usefulness

http://engineering.electrical-equip...ution/how-choose-surge-protection-device.html

I hear what you are saying but the problem is I am unable to change the DB, so the category 3's are the only ones I can reply on unfortunately.

Is your headset wireless? Do you have an electric fence?

Some surge protectors have a fuse which can be replaced cheaply.
If you getting a crackling noise (static noise) you may find your appliance/PC/TV or what ever is not properly earthed.So if you using a different multipoint plug now that your surge protector is dead I would try changing that.

If you got an electric fence, and it's arcing (sparking) at some point you may hear the popping noise though your head phones especially if they wireless head phones.

No it's wired, it's a coolermaster storm sirus, no electric fence, the fuse can not be replaced it seems given that there are no screws to open it with.

Do you also expect to have a free replacement for a blown fuse?

Just go and buy another one.

The funny thing is, I'm currently in communication with APC now and they seem like they are willing to replace it, APC support is crazy good, even though it seems like their South African branch has closed down and there are no longer any official distributors in South Africa, according to their website.

The same surge protector that NomNom showed, you also get a DSTV version, that protects your LNB cable.

My surge protector got whacked a few weeks ago, via the phone line, now I have to buy a new one - the surge protector no longer works on the phone line. I didn't see any screws in the surge protector so you could replace fuses though.
It only costs R200 so it's worth not having a R1000 router blown.

You see this is my thinking, I would rather spend R200 on a surge protector then not have anything and spend another R600 on my router, if not more on my other components, thousands? Also I have one of those DSTV ones, unfortunately the one I got from Wootware is defective, the DSTV part of it doesn't work, so I emailed APC and they said they will send me a replacement within 5 working days, so I should get it tomorrow or on Wednesday.

Just for interest, from NomNoms link:



Guess this only applies if the light comes on

Question for NomNom, has the light come on or is it totally fried

The whole surge protector seems to be functioning, it's just the phone/DSL part of it that is no longer working. The surge protector has 2 lights, one red one for crappy house wiring and a green one for power which is lite up currently.

There isn't really a replacement for unplugging. You should be lucky your equipment didn't get damaged!

It's a SURGE protector not a LIGHTNING protector

This surge protector says many times on it that it's rated for protected against lightning. Maximum Surge Current 44,000A not sure if that's decent or not, but this time I saved my stuff, just imagine if I didn't have it and a cheaply double adapter from the local Pick'n'pay. According to my surge protector box, I have a SurgeArrest Essential, which seems to be the lowest model of 3, the second highest (SurgeArrest Home/Office) is rated to protect to a maximum of 78kA and the highest model (SurgeArrest Performance) 93kA.

Just learn to unplug the stuff when there is a storm. Don't be stupid and play games when that's going on outside. :wtf:

In my defense the storm was still quite a long way away, it wasn't close by, if I counted the flashes vs sound I would say it was about a 5 away. Also I live on a prison premises where we aren't prone to lightning affecting the power supply, like I said this was the first time I can recall that the power surge came through the phone line. But I have learnt my lesson, won't happen again.