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Skeleton Man
Guest
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 Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 6:21 am Post subject: Lightning protection |
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Hi guys,
Can anyone reccomend a good product (preferably a power bar or simmilar) to
protect computer equipment against a lightning strike ? I'm looking for
something with a connected equipment warranty.. (ie. if my PC goes up in
smoke while connected to their product, they pay for the replacement)
While I'm at it.. is there any way you can insure just your PC and
associated equipment ? Insurance on the house itself (even just contents)
isn't possible right now, but I'd like to have some safeguard.. also, can
you insure against data loss ? (besides making a backup)
Chris |
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DevilsPGD
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 6:21 am Post subject: Re: Lightning protection |
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In message <M6GdnYxeU9ZAjfvbnZ2dnUVZ_oGlnZ2d@wightman.ca> "Skeleton Man"
<invalid@guestwho.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Can anyone reccomend a good product (preferably a power bar or simmilar) to
protect computer equipment against a lightning strike ? I'm looking for
something with a connected equipment warranty.. (ie. if my PC goes up in
smoke while connected to their product, they pay for the replacement)
|
Not much will stop a lightning strike, but insurance is possible.
| Quote: | While I'm at it.. is there any way you can insure just your PC and
associated equipment ? Insurance on the house itself (even just contents)
isn't possible right now, but I'd like to have some safeguard.. also, can
you insure against data loss ? (besides making a backup)
|
In general, just pick up house insurance with low limit, this will do
the trick, just watch your exclusions.
As far as data loss, generally this is extremely expensive, you're much
better off learning to do a backup. It is cheaper to pay for off-site
backup services then to pay for insurance.
--
If quitters never win, and winners never quit,
what fool came up with, "Quit while you're ahead"? |
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Paul
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 6:21 am Post subject: Re: Lightning protection |
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Skeleton Man wrote:
| Quote: | Hi guys,
Can anyone reccomend a good product (preferably a power bar or simmilar) to
protect computer equipment against a lightning strike ? I'm looking for
something with a connected equipment warranty.. (ie. if my PC goes up in
smoke while connected to their product, they pay for the replacement)
While I'm at it.. is there any way you can insure just your PC and
associated equipment ? Insurance on the house itself (even just contents)
isn't possible right now, but I'd like to have some safeguard.. also, can
you insure against data loss ? (besides making a backup)
Chris
|
I think some of the Isobars have insurance. Insurance is only valid
if the unit is plugged directly into the wall. (And the wall would
need a three pronged plug, as the safety ground has to be present
for it to work.) I'd want to find an account of someone actually
collecting on the insurance, as proof there really is effective
insurance.
http://www.tripplite.com/products/suppressors/isobar.cfm
Some have provision to run the telephone line through there,
which is handy if the computer uses a dial up modem. I don't
know what the best strategy is, if you are using ADSL or cable
modem. You could try running the phone line through it, for
ADSL, but I don't know if that affects the ADSL signal or
not.
Paul |
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Vester
Contributor
Joined: 24 Dec 2005
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:10 pm Post subject: Re: Lightning protection |
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| My home computers, modem, router, and television are all on APC battery backup UPS units. DSL sometimes works with the units although my ISP says don't use a surge protector on the aDSL line. The phone line from the wall jack to the modem is about six inches. I have underground utilities which help. I've only lost one modem in six years here in South Carolina, USA. |
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DevilsPGD
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 1:21 am Post subject: Re: Lightning protection |
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In message <Ju6dnfW6w_dtqvrbnZ2dnUVZ_uCinZ2d@comcast.com> "DaveW"
<nothing@bot.org> wrote:
| Quote: | Nothing will stop a lightening strike.
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Either concrete or rubber will, although you do need a pretty good
thickness.
| Quote: | You cannot just insure your PC.
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Incorrect. Even residential property insurance can be contents only,
and can be purchased in small enough increments that it will only cover
your PC.
Some surge protectors also include coverage, although you'll want to
read the terms closely.
| Quote: | You cannot insure against data loss (make a backup.)
|
Definitely incorrect (although this one will cost ya)
--
If quitters never win, and winners never quit,
what fool came up with, "Quit while you're ahead"? |
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DaveW
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 1:23 am Post subject: Re: Lightning protection |
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Nothing will stop a lightening strike. You cannot just insure your PC. You
cannot insure against data loss (make a backup.)
--
---------------------
DaveW
"Skeleton Man" <invalid@guestwho.com> wrote in message
news:M6GdnYxeU9ZAjfvbnZ2dnUVZ_oGlnZ2d@wightman.ca...
| Quote: | Hi guys,
Can anyone reccomend a good product (preferably a power bar or simmilar)
to
protect computer equipment against a lightning strike ? I'm looking for
something with a connected equipment warranty.. (ie. if my PC goes up in
smoke while connected to their product, they pay for the replacement)
While I'm at it.. is there any way you can insure just your PC and
associated equipment ? Insurance on the house itself (even just contents)
isn't possible right now, but I'd like to have some safeguard.. also, can
you insure against data loss ? (besides making a backup)
Chris
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Bud--
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 12:18 pm Post subject: Re: Lightning protection |
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w_tom wrote:
| Quote: | On Jun 5, 9:45 pm, "Skeleton Man" <inva...@guestwho.com> wrote:
Can anyone reccomend a good product (preferably a power bar or simmilar) to
protect computer equipment against a lightning strike ? I'm looking for
something with a connected equipment warranty.. (ie. if my PC goes up in
smoke while connected to their product, they pay for the replacement)
While I'm at it.. is there any way you can insure just your PC and
associated equipment ?
|
The best information on surges and surge protection I have seen is at:
http://omegaps.com/Lightning%20Guide_FINALpublishedversion_May051.pdf
- the title is "How to protect your house and its contents from
lightning: IEEE guide for surge protection of equipment connected to AC
power and communication circuits" published by the IEEE in 2005 (the
IEEE is the dominant organization of electrical and electronic engineers
in the US).
And also:
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/practiceguides/surgesfnl.pdf
- this is the "NIST recommended practice guide: Surges Happen!: how to
protect the appliances in your home" published by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (the US government agency formerly
called the National Bureau of Standards) in 2001
The IEEE guide requires some (not much) technical background. The NIST
guide is aimed at the unwashed masses.
| Quote: |
Did those other posters forget to mention your telco installs a same
protector where phone line enters your building?
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To get maximum benefit from telco, CATV, ... entry protectors they have
to be connected in a “single point ground” system - phone, CATV, ...
protector connected with a short wire to the power system earthing wire
at the power service. The problem created by not having a “single point
ground” are illustrated in the NIST guide starting pdf page 40.
| Quote: | How do you know
other plug-in protectors are not effective? 1) No dedicated wire for
that 'less than 10 foot' earthing connection. 2) Manufacturer avoids
all discussion about earthing.
Another claimed a protector needs a three prong wall receptacle.
Yes. Third prong is required for human safety. But third prong does
not provide earthing for protection.
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Nonsense.
The IEEE guide (starting pdf page 40) explains that plug-in suppressors
work by CLAMPING the voltage on all wires (power and signal) to the
common ground at the suppressor. They do not work primarily by earthing.
The IEEE guide explains earthing occurs elsewhere.
Both the IEEE and NIST guides say plug-in suppressors are effective.
Note that all interconnected equipment needs to be connected to the
same plug-in suppressor, or interconnecting wires needs to go through
the suppressor. External connections, like phone, CATV, ... also need to
go through the suppressor. Connecting all wiring through the suppressor
prevents damaging voltages between power and signal wires. These
multiport suppressors are described in both the IEEE and NIST guides. As
John said, if a suppressor has a connected equipment warrantee, it
likely requires all circuits go through the suppressor. Not connecting
all wires through compromises the protection.
Suppressor ratings range from junk to very high.
With high ratings a suppressor is likely to protect from anything but a
very near hit. High ratings are why manufacturers can have connected
equipment warranties on some suppressors.
I have a couple of Belkin units, but here are other good brands.
| Quote: |
'Whole house' protector can be purchases even in Lowes and Home
Depot - some for less than $50.
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w_ has never provided a link to a $50 suppressor. Or provided the specs
for one.
--
bud-- |
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Mike Walsh
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject: Re: Lightning protection |
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Some modems have built-in surge protection e.g. my old 28.8 Zoom modem which has outlived several 56K modems. I still use the Zoom for fax since my last 56K modem died.
CBFalconer wrote:
| Quote: |
Vester wrote:
although my ISP says don't use a surge protector on the aDSL line.
The phone line from the wall jack to the modem is about six inches.
I have underground utilities which help. I've only lost one modem
in six years here in South Carolina, USA.
I've been using the same modem for at least 8 years, sometimes
protected, sometimes not. Never had a problem. US-Robotics.
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Mike Walsh
West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A. |
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CBFalconer
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject: Re: Lightning protection |
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Bud-- wrote:
| Quote: | w_tom wrote:
.... big snip ...
'Whole house' protector can be purchases even in Lowes and Home
Depot - some for less than $50.
w_ has never provided a link to a $50 suppressor. Or provided the
specs for one.
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He seems to go off when anyone mentions 'protection' in any form.
--
<http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/vista_cost.txt>
<http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/423>
<http://www.aaxnet.com/editor/edit043.html>
<http://kadaitcha.cx/vista/dogsbreakfast/index.html>
cbfalconer at maineline dot net
--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com |
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