Storm Damage Events to Electronics

[sony6060]

I had three lightning incidences over a period of 10 years.

First- lightning strike hit in front yard. TV went blank for 5 seconds and came back. No damage.

Second- lightning went over top of house at a horizontal angle and hit ground in back yard. Although the kitchen lights were off, the lights turned on and the bulbs burned out. Damage was four lamps.

Third- Lightning hit something (did not see it) and the circuit breaker panel buzzed like the loudest alarm clock one would ever hear. The buzzing lasted about 5 seconds and I cannot explain why. Lights went bright. Weirdest is never lost power. Ruined the microwave, CD player, TV set and satellite receiver. Rest of audio gear including tuner was tube- no problem.

Unlike NYC for the most part, being in the Midwest has the most ugly storms come forth out of nowhere. I know we were screwed on the first & third lightning strike storms. Just saw the mess coming and we were going to get it. I seen winds so strong the power wire from pole to house that sags down was blown sideways. We did live on top on one of the highest hills in the state.

 

[Beatnik]

Amazon sells these cheap

http://www.amazon.com/Monster-MP-HT...d=1375931220&sr=8-1&keywords=monster+hts+1600

 

[fastbike]

Is this some kind of personal revelation?

I had three lightning incidences over a period of 10 years.

First- lightning strike hit in front yard. TV went blank for 5 seconds and came back. No damage.

Second- lightning went over top of house at a horizontal angle and hit ground in back yard. Although the kitchen lights were off, the lights turned on and the bulbs burned out. Damage was four lamps.

Third- Lightning hit something (did not see it) and the circuit breaker panel buzzed like the loudest alarm clock one would ever hear. The buzzing lasted about 5 seconds and I cannot explain why. Lights went bright. Weirdest is never lost power. Ruined the microwave, CD player, TV set and satellite receiver. Rest of audio gear including tuner was tube- no problem.

Unlike NYC for the most part, being in the Midwest has the most ugly storms come forth out of nowhere. I know we were screwed on the first & third lightning strike storms. Just saw the mess coming and we were going to get it. I seen winds so strong the power wire from pole to house that sags down was blown sideways. We did live on top on one of the highest hills in the state.

 

[sony6060]

Personal revelation? Just a story of unusual conditions.

 

[Wigwam Jones]

Personal revelation? Just a story of unusual conditions.

I've had a few things damaged by power fluctuations associated with storms. Mostly computer-related, though. I try to use surge suppressors when I can. I have an inexpensive UPS on my cable modem/wireless router, which has been handy when we lose power as we often do in the summertime here. If the power is out for less than an hour or so, we still have internet access for any battery-operated stuff we have. Helps to bridge the gap.

 

[wayout440]

The radio station equipment we sell worldwide often comes back to us en masse when storms hit. The gear that interfaces to phone lines is most susceptible, even though some front end protection of MOVs and fuses is designed in. Lightning will go through it and around it. If the surge passes through the phone interface, it can destroy much of the logic circuits as well. Very few are repairable, and many ICs will often have the tops blown off of them, much like little bombs went off in them.

 

[sony6060]

The radio station equipment we sell worldwide often comes back to us en masse when storms hit. The gear that interfaces to phone lines is most susceptible, even though some front end protection of MOVs and fuses is designed in. Lightning will go through it and around it. If the surge passes through the phone interface, it can destroy much of the logic circuits as well. Very few are repairable, and many ICs will often have the tops blown off of them, much like little bombs went off in them.

I use surge protection on my audio gear. The SS CD player died, the tube gear survived.

 

[johnr66]

years ago my parents took a strike probably out on the electrical pole. About half the electronics in the house were damaged. The well pump and even some circuit breakers were damaged.

Here's the funny thing. Down in my dad's office he had a treadmill plugged into a surge protection powerstrip along with the computer. The treadmill board got fried, the computer was unharmed. Even the modem was unscathed while most other phone devices were destroyed.

 

[ChrisMarantz]

I have had lots of lighting damaged units in the shop for repair and they can be a real challenge. Many times the micro controller and the logic IC's will be damaged and unless a replacement board is available the unit is unrepairable

 

[wingman0121]

I've had a few things damaged by power fluctuations associated with storms.

Here in Wisconsin we get some weird storms, had some serious tornado/hail storm came through a few years ago, here are a couple pics for entertainment... they're taken at least half an hour after the storm passed and it was 80 degrees out, I almost drove through it.

 

[sKiZo]

wOw ... that one almost got your cell phone!!

Look into a whole house protection device. Lot of power companies carry them and will install on demand. They install right behind the meter.

I got one a few years back as we get a lot of the same kind of stuff here. Pole outside took a hit that knocked the transformer right off the pole. Only damage here was to my underwear ...

 

[sony6060]

wOw ... that one almost got your cell phone!!

Look into a whole house protection device. Lot of power companies carry them and will install on demand. They install right behind the meter.

I got one a few years back as we get a lot of the same kind of stuff here. Pole outside took a hit that knocked the transformer right off the pole. Only damage here was to my underwear ...

Your candor on the subject is certainly explicit. :lmao:

 

[WobblySam]

Have you checked your house ground lately? Usually that initial ground wire and rod the power company installs when they put the meter in is not very effective after about 5 years - different for various parts of the country.
I had mine replaced with a three rod configuration and multiple cables thermally bonded to the rods.
Maybe worthwhile to check - see if at least the existing wire is tightly clamped to the rod.
When I was kid, we lived in an older house that had "electricity added" some time in the 50s - all two wire surface outlets - no third wire safety ground. During electrical storms, we would have the little balls of fire running around in the kitchen sometimes. Fun for a kid, but it scared the poop out of my parents.