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Unplug or ride out the storm?

In most years we have a couple of severe thunderstorms and to be safe I unplug everything. This summer is like twilight zone. Probably 15 or 20 significant electrical storms. I've been unplugging everything even though I have Furman surge protection and power conditioning. I'm confident it will work if called upon but don't want to put it to the test if I don't have to. Kind of like lifeboats on a ship. They probably work fine but you'd rather not have to test them out. The bad part (whether placebo or real) I'm convinced some of my components take anywhere from 2 hours to 2 days to really hit their stride when they've been unplugged and allowed to cool off. Just curious what everybody else does
milkdudd
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
Unplug!
builder3
757 posts
 
Unplug it. A direct lightning strike can go everywhere.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
My house took a direct hit. The charge went straight to ground just like the others said. The heat from all those millions of volts expanded even the slightest trace of moisture into steam, exploding every bit of lumber in its path, the leftover heat bursting it into flames. The roof and most of one wall were demolished. Nothing but debris remained.  

The surge protector did its job. The stereo was untouched. Not even the falling debris, not one speck on any of the components plugged into the surge protector.  

If you believe a word of the paragraph above then your understanding of electricity makes you a prime candidate for a surge suppressor. Get the really expensive whole-house ones. They really work. Trust me.   


nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,805 posts
 
Storms are much more severe and unpredictable compared to the past so yes, just unplug it.
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,421 posts
 
I have a whole house surge protector.
And, I have 3 Niagara units with there built in surge protectors.
And...if lightning strikes are near I turn off the 3 breakers to my system and I still unplug.

When I am not home and aware of lightning strikes near my home, I also pray.

ozzy
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