The question of whether to turn off the computer during a thunderstorm often appears during the summer thunderstorms. The opinions of users vary greatly, as some believe that a power surge can cause a computer to burn out. On the other hand, modern technologies guarantee the safety of equipment even in such weather conditions. To understand whether it is possible to use a computer during a thunderstorm is quite easy.
Why is it customary for people to turn off equipment in a thunderstorm?
Those who grew up with grandparents are well aware of the situation when, at the first sounds of a thunderstorm, all equipment was turned off and the device’s plug was removed from the outlet. And this was quite justified, since the devices of past years did not have any protection against thunderstorms and arising power surges. That is what could cause the burnout of household appliances.
But can a computer burn out from a thunderstorm, today is a very controversial issue. After all, the present-day technique has good protection against voltage surges. Nevertheless, the question of whether to turn off the computer during a thunderstorm can hardly give a negative answer.
Reasons for this situation
When a thunderstorm begins, a potential difference of up to several billion volts appears between the clouds and the surface of the earth. When the value reaches its peak, a discharge occurs. Existing lightning protection systems reduce the chance of direct lightning striking electrical wiring, but does not exclude it. When this situation occurs, all electrical appliances within reach will burn out.
In which case is the chance of combustion of equipment great?
Often the cause of such an incident is induced voltage. And the longer the wire length and discharge power, the higher the likelihood of such a situation. When a tip occurs, an electrical impulse of thousands of volts occurs, lasting from units to a thousand microseconds. The prevalence reaches several kilometers.
Which networks are at risk?
Often, such situations are characteristic of Internet networks in residential areas, since they are often not designed in any way and can be laid anywhere. In this connection, they are more vulnerable (there are cases of laying Internet cables around a lightning rod). In the best case, network cards, routers, switches and other network devices will suffer. In the case of an extremely powerful charge, the entire computer with a hard drive and a monitor may burn out.
Recommendations
- Install the external network card on the computer. It should be used even despite the presence of an integrated element. When a discharge gets into an external device, the matter is often limited only to the loss of the network board itself. If you get into the integrated device there is a risk of failure of the entire motherboard.
- Install a lightning filter. This is required for the Internet and telephone lines.
- Install an uninterruptible power supply unit with the function of smoothing incoming power surges. This is useful to users of personal computers, since the voltage in the mains can jump in normal times.
- Equip the house with voltage stabilizer and grounding.
- Turn off the device during a thunderstorm. Disconnect the computer and monitor from the network, remove the Internet cable from the network board, switch, or router. Then turn off other electrical appliances such as televisions, washing machines, microwaves, and more. Such actions will help with small power surges.
- With strong and rapid power surges, automation may not work. The discharge will burn all devices connected to the power supply network.
- Turn off existing electrical appliances when you are away from your home for a long time. This should be done for those who leave home for weeks or more.
What should laptop users do?
In the case of laptops, the situation is much simpler. It is enough just to disconnect the device from the outlet and continue to work quietly (if the battery charge allows). However, if the device is connected to a local network or cable modem, then the consequences will be the same as with a lightning strike into a transformer, and whether it is necessary to turn off the computer during a thunderstorm, in this case it is understandable.
Where is the probability of computer burning higher?
This topic is especially relevant for residents of old apartment buildings, since many of them do not have a protective ground loop, which should be provided for in the project. Often it is destroyed during the repair of the roof.
In the case of modern multi-unit dwellings, there is a chance of equipment failure due to lightning, but it is not as great as in the previous example.
In the case of a private house, especially powered by a pillar, the chance of breakdown is close to 100%. A large impulse is induced to open wiring, while there are no special protective devices against impulsive overvoltages. Good surge protectors and UPSs are equipped with them. Moreover, the more protective steps, the better, although in this case you need to turn off the computer during a thunderstorm.
A particular risk is the presence of an Internet connection. Usually it is carried out through a cable with copper conductors, on which it is easy to direct a pulse. To reduce losses during thunderstorms, you should also disconnect the network cable from the network computer card. In the case of a laptop, this is necessary, since the repair will be very expensive, and the answer to the question of whether to turn off the computer during a thunderstorm is obvious. The best solution is to buy a Wi-FI router due to the convenience and cheap replacement of it in case of combustion during a thunderstorm.
The above reasons why the device may burn out during a thunderstorm make it clear whether it is possible to use a computer during a thunderstorm. In this case, the combustion problem is relevant specifically for computers, not laptops, with which you can work when disconnected from the mains.