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! |
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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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