What could have happened

Firespyer

n00b
Joined
Jul 22, 2005
Messages
59
Friend of mine had basically anything more advanced then a lightbulb die today. We had a bad lightning storm go thru our town and couple of close strikes less then 1/2 mile away. After one bolt lights flashed, and the lights were the only thing to come on. It sounded like it hit right next to his house.

**all surge protected**
3 computers, 2 that were powered off complete will not boot (got a new power supply still wont come on)
2 direct TV boxes just sit flashing
2 TV's & Recievers

Could a lightning bolt have done this, no surge protectors were faulted, no breakers were tripped.
 
First, check for gremlins.

If no gremlins, yes, lightning probably did that.

No consumer-grade surge protectors (I assume you have power-strip quality protectors) will save you in the event of a lightning strike. Only way to protect equipment if a bolt gets into the lines is to have everything unplugged.
 
I agree, most strip surge protectors don't do shit other than give you extra plugs off of the wall. My guess is that anything that is not working was most likely effected by the lightning. I know when there is a storm near me I unplug everything from the VCR to the cat5 cable on the router.
 
Thanks for confirming guys, as a follow up I have all my machines on APC battery backups will that protect me or would I have been SoL in a similar situation
 
I don't agree. Just replace the fuse's in the fuse box. If anything only a couple devices got zapped. Its possable but I doubt everything was fried.
 
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