Lightning exploded my Telkom... Repair advice

B

brattex

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2009
Messages
183
Reaction score
55
Location
Durban
Hi guys

Lightning completely nuked my Telkom ADSL line. The surge protector hopefully saved my router but for now I'd like advice on the cabling from Telkom. I'm expecting they'll charge me quite a bit to fix the line but it looks relatively non complex so maybe it is easy enough to source parts and do it myself.

I've attached a picture of the wrecked components, except for the power pack for the hauwei router. Any advice on where to get the parts and how difficult it is to DIY?

also, how to get a replacement power pack / lightning kit...

Or is this usually covered by insurance and simpler just to get Telkom to do it?

Update... Can't seem to upload pictures through mobile. Will keep trying but in the interim any comments on ways to get things fixed (or whether Telkom is the best route) would be great.DSC_1287.jpgsketch-1449505601060.jpg
 
Last edited:
They will not charge you to repair the line.

From their last point to the telephone jack in your house... free.
 
brattex said:
Hi guys

Lightning completely nuked my Telkom ADSL line. The surge protector hopefully saved my router but for now I'd like advice on the cabling from Telkom. I'm expecting they'll charge me quite a bit to fix the line but it looks relatively non complex so maybe it is easy enough to source parts and do it myself.

I've attached a picture of the wrecked components, except for the power pack for the hauwei router. Any advice on where to get the parts and how difficult it is to DIY?

also, how to get a replacement power pack / lightning kit...

Or is this usually covered by insurance and simpler just to get Telkom to do it?

Update... Can't seem to upload pictures through mobile. Will keep trying but in the interim any comments on ways to get things fixed (or whether Telkom is the best route) would be great.View attachment 321969View attachment 321971
Click to expand...

Just a question - how did lightning "explode" your "Telkom"?

Lightning generally damages the electrical equipment at the end of a conductive wire - not the wiring itself.
 
Splinter said:
Just a question - how did lightning "explode" your "Telkom"?

Lightning generally damages the electrical equipment at the end of a conductive wire - not the wiring itself.
Click to expand...

npe Zeus killed my bell. found it lying in the opposite side of the room. disintegrated....
 
Splinter said:
Just a question - how did lightning "explode" your "Telkom"?

Lightning generally damages the electrical equipment at the end of a conductive wire - not the wiring itself.
Click to expand...

Look at the picture... Copper wire blew out of the sheath plus the phone jack parts were totally detached and a distance away from where they used to be.
DSC_1290.jpg
 
That looks like a direct strike , i think all the wiring will be destroyed , including the drop wire from the house if you are in a house .
I have seen drop wires with little copper balls in the PVC sheath after a direct strike , no wires left .
 
FNfal said:
That looks like a direct strike , i think all the wiring will be destroyed , including the drop wire from the house if you are in a house .
I have seen drop wires with little copper balls in the PVC sheath after a direct strike , no wires left .
Click to expand...

Lucky for him that he was not chatting on the phone at the time!! :eek:
 
MickeyD said:
Lucky for him that he was not chatting on the phone at the time!! :eek:
Click to expand...

Thats for sure , there must have been some serious fireworks then the lightning struck .

I would also think the MODEM is finished to with a strike like that .
 
Lightning hit our house yesterday, nuked my Netgear router and the Ethernet card on my wifes PC 6M away. Lucky my PC survived.
 
Last edited:
Drifter said:
Lightning hit our house yesterday, nuked my Netgear router and the Ethernet card on my wifes PC 6M away. Lucky my PC survived.
Click to expand...
Lightning was all but invited inside to hunt destructively for earth. It found a best connection to earth via your wife's machine. Therefore it has no reason to pass through your machine. Her machine protected you from a human created mistake that all but invited that surge inside.
 
FNfal said:
Thats for sure , there must have been some serious fireworks then the lightning struck .

I would also think the MODEM is finished to with a strike like that .
Click to expand...

This is exactly why whenever there is any sign of any kind of storm in my area I immediately switch off and unplug EVERYTHING. Even the phone.
 
koeksGHT said:
I got hit 3 weeks ago while playing cs go and I felt current through headphones on computer. Lots of dead stuff but PC survived :/
Click to expand...

Why the hell are you people playing on electronic equipment during lightning storms? Hell, the moment I see a cloud in the sky I unplug everything in my house. You guys are asking for trouble when you play during storms. I'm not surprised you got hit. You may as well have put out a welcome mat for the lightning. I even turn my cellphone off when there is lightning. Better safe than sorry.
 
I have had a few lightning strikes and the pc looked ok afterwards - then a few days later things start acting up, for example network card looses connectivity, blue screens, ect...
 
Raphamon said:
Why the hell are you people playing on electronic equipment during lightning storms? Hell, the moment I see a cloud in the sky I unplug everything in my house.
Click to expand...
So you unplug the refrigerator, dishwasher, all clocks, all LED bulbs, and central air conditioner? Of course not. Routine is to use all appliances during every storm without damage. But that means an education based in science; not one based in what gets promoted on retails shelves.

All this was explained elsewhere in Astraphobe DSL lightning protection - has anyone tried it?

One question defines direct strikes without damage. Where are hundreds of thousands of joules harmlessly absorbed? A protector is only as effective as something completely different that is the protection - earth ground.

Even unplugging is an unreliable solution since it is dependent on a less unreliable item - a human.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X