The storm season is in full swing. Along with lightning bolts across the sky, there is a concern about the electronic equipment connected to the power supply. What to do to minimize the risk of damage to the computer, TV or household appliances? The rules of conduct in a storm are really simple.
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There are several ways to minimize the risk, but only one of them can ensure that our equipment is completely safe: physically disconnect the equipment from the electrical system. That is removing the plug from the socket.
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But we should remember not only about power supply. The risk factor is also the Ethernet cable (unfasten!), And in the case of TV sets – the antenna cable, which also needs to be unplugged. Some distortions and myths have arisen around optical fibers.
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– Optical fibers in the electric sense are insulators and remain indifferent to the effects of radio wave emissions, even at very high energies. The spectral range in which optical fibers work differs by many orders of magnitude from the spectrum of the surge waves generated by lightning discharges, which also results in the lack of interference of the transmitted signals – says Andrzej Walczyk from the “Security” magazine.
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Domestic electrical installation
If for some reason we cannot physically disconnect our devices, we should take care to minimize the risk. Where to start?
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—Not every surge protector protects the same
Theoretically, especially in newer homes, we are protected by surge arresters (SPD). In practice, in order to actually protect our equipment during a storm, protections should be installed in a cascade (type I, II and III limiters), at specified distances from each other. Such solutions are used very rarely.
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The key is checking the condition of the home electrical networksuch as the presence and proper connection of grounding. If we are not sure that our installation has been properly made – call a professional.
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What surge protector?
Only after this is over, it is worth considering the purchase of a skirting board … well, what kind? Sellers introduce terminological confusion here, because the power strip can be the most ordinary distributor, which in no way does not increase the level of security.
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We are slightly better protected by a filter strip that cuts off the power in the event of a failure of the device connected to it. The next level of security are surge protectors.
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The simplest ones have fuses in them. The slightly better ones – varistors and transile diodes, ensuring the ability to absorb large amounts of energy and a short response time. When choosing a strip of this type, look for models that ensure the highest possible energy absorption (400-500 J and more), low threshold voltage (not more than 1.5 kV), the highest possible pulse current (80kA and more) and the shortest possible response time, not greater than 25 ns.
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However, we must remember that even the best surge protector increases the level of security, but cannot guarantee it. The guarantee that nothing bad can happen is provided by physical separation from the threat – pulling the plug from the socket.
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Łukasz Michalik, journalist of Gadgetmania
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