Unplugging power cords from amps/ pre amps

IF your system is plugged into separate circuit(s), (as it should be) simply turn the breaker(s) off, back on after storm passes.

WHY would you unplug if the circuit is off?

IF your equipment is plugged into a protective device, either trust your protective device, OR, unplug the protective device, thus everything plugged into it is unplugged.

In your case, or if you do not want a protective device, a high quality plug strip into your separate circuit(s), outlet end located where you can reach it, plug/unplug the pieces there.

I mistyped,  I meant to say:

What wears when done too much is the springs in the female sockets, either on the wall or in the cable.

Not sure lightning will be stopped by a 6mm gap in a breaker. 

IF your system is plugged into separate circuit(s), (as it should be) simply turn the breaker(s) off, back on after storm passes.

My Coda manual very specifically states to disconnect the wall connection before disconnecting the cord from the amp. Connecting is the reverse of that. If the main switch on the back is off, it probably is not an issue, but it is easy to forget this step. The result can be arcing when plugging/unplugging a live cord into the the amp. 

@zlone

Arcing during a disconnect is bad, but AFAIK, does not cause a voltage surge. It does have the potential for leaving carbon deposits which prevent current flow, or heat up and cause a fire. That’s 100% true. I’ve seen it in a bad outlet wiring (my own fault!).

The arcing is proportional to the current flowing at the time the switch or cable is pulled out, or relay disengages. For this reason it’s important to turn off the gear first.

I’m not sure however that it makes much of a difference which end of the cable you pull out, except perhaps that if you pull out the equipment end you risk the chance of the arc damage being on the IEC connector?

Maybe the EMI/RFI noise during the arc can be amplified through the amp, so having it happen further away minimizes the noise?