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Protect your investment
[APRIL 22, 2000]  First, the obvious: it’s thunderstorm season.  I know this because my dog is currently at my feet under my desk, whimpering and trying to hide from the storm (I have turned the computer off and am writing my article out longhand on a legal pad).  The phones are out, and the lights are flickering.  What you may not know or realize is that every electronic device in your home or office is potentially in great danger every time you hear that thunder and see that lightning.  Computers, stereos, television sets, VCRs and all the other hi-tech gizmos that enhance our lives are in danger of being damaged beyond repair by lightning.  Especially computers!

To protect your investment, there are four things you should do to protect your computers and other electronic devices.
    First, whenever a thunderstorm approaches, turn off your electronic devices.  All electronics rely on metered, regulated, clean electrical power.  During a thunderstorm, the electrical supply is anything but regulated (just watch the lights get brighter and dimmer).  Unregulated power can damage electronics that are currently drawing power.  But while turning your toys off is a good first step, it is not a guarantee that damages will not occur.
    Second, get good-quality surge protectors for all your valuable electronic devices, including computers, televisions, stereos and VCRs.  Surge protectors are designed to “take the hit” when lightning strikes (when they take the hit, they are generally destroyed or damaged and will need to be replaced).  It is important to use surge protectors rather than power strips.  Power strips are merely extension cords with multiple plugs (and maybe a circuit breaker).  Replace surge protectors periodically to ensure they are providing the protection you need.

The quality of a surge protector can determined in two ways: the measurement of protection it provides and what the surge protector manufacturer will do if damages occur even though the surge protector is used. 
    A quality surge protector will respond in less than 1 millisecond and will provide more than 1000 joules (a power measurement) of clamping protection.   In the case of response time, less is more.  With clamping protection, more is more.

    If your device is damaged by a lightning strike or a surge while being protected by a surge protector, a reliable surge protector manufacturer will pay for the repair or replacement of the damaged device.  Choose quality surge protectors from the top manufacturers, rather than no-name brands or surge protectors which seem too cheap to be good.
    Choose the appropriate surge protector for the job.  If you are protecting a computer with a modem, you should get a surge protector which will not only protect and filter the power coming into the computer but also protect the phone line.  Over 80 percent of the computers we have inspected with lightning damage were damaged through the phone line (modem) rather than the power line.  In the case of television sets, portable phones, stereos, etc., there are specific surge protectors which will appropriately protect those devices.
    Having the appropriate surge protection is not always going to prevent damage to or the destruction of electronic equipment.  But it is a crucial second step.
    The third step to protection is to call your insurance agent and make sure that you have the necessary insurance coverage in case you get hit by a surge or lightning.  Make sure that you understand the coverage (what is the deductible, for instance), and make sure that you comply with their restrictions so that the policy will pay off should a lightning or surge event occur.  If one of your electronic devices is damaged, it may be necessary to get an estimate or two from reputable repair shops before your insurance company will pay. 
    But, do not rely on insurance alone.  Your insurance company may pay to have your devices repaired or replaced, but the process usually takes days or weeks to complete.  Meanwhile you wait, make phone calls and are inconvenienced (not to mention the lost data on your computer or the insurance company’s restrictions on brands and models you can purchase as replacements).
    Finally, the most effective way to protect your electronic devices from lightning or surge damage is to unplug them completely.  This means unplugging all cables or cords that connect your electronics to power, communications or other electronic devices.  I mention this last because, while it is the most effective, it is the most inconvenient.  Here is my recommendation: unplug your devices if you are going to be away from the office or the home for a lengthy period of time.
    Every thunderstorm brings with it a little anxiety about your family’s health, wealth and safety.  Spend a little time and a little money reducing your thunderstorm stress by adequately protecting all your electronic devices.

 

[Jim Youngquist, CCA]

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