Any way to protect a computer against lightning strikes?

[cavemusic]

I don't know how directly the house was hit. The first time was a direct hit and lots of other things were destroyed as well but this time the only thing damaged was the computer. We haven't gotten back there yet to check for ourselves; someone else staying at the house said the computer stopped working but didn't say the house took a direct hit.

House was built in 1910. Wiring is probably almost as old. Regular composite (asphalt type) shingle roof.

It's possible the house is not grounded properly. I have in the past gotten a nasty shock from touching the fridge and the sink at the same time. Don't know if they fixed that.

....

Getting nasty shocks is a good reason to get the wiring sorted out whether or not lightning is an issue. A surge suppressor will attempt to divert surges on the AC system to ground, so it is necessary to make sure the ground is working too. There must be a low impedance connection from the electrical panel to earth via a properly installed ground rod or else no surge suppressor will work. A lightning rod is not likely the answer. The house did not get a direct hit - it would be quite obvious if it had been. Most lightning-induced electrical damage occurs by indirect means - the lightning hits something else such as a nearby power pole, and a surge is induced on the AC power system.

A good quality surge suppressor installed right at the electrical panel is the best approach. As westom mentioned, there are several makers of such equipment. I have a Cutler-Hammer unit installed at the electrical panel at my house and studio.

 

[fhm555]

I live in Oregon where lightning is rare, but my Mom lives in Georgia and has had her computer wrecked for the second time in just a few months due to lightning despite having it hooked up to a surge protector.

She's been told that surge protectors don't protect against lightning at all, but I don't think that's necessarily true of ALL surge protectors. She's also been told that a lightning rod won't help (house is surrounded by very tall trees). But it really seems like there ought to be SOMETHING she could do.

I know there are experts on this forum in a wide variety of areas, so I'm hoping someone here can help with reliable information. I have no idea if the person who told her all this knows what they're talking about or not.

Anybody got ideas? My first thought was to replace whatever surge protector she has with a Tripp Lite or something.

I'm one state west of your mom and we've had thunderstorms just about ever day for the last couple of months. I've taken two direct hits and repalced a phone system, 2 TV sets, a computer, and a couple of fans. All that happened with the first strike and when I replaced it all I set it up so it's easy to unplug from the wall. Now when I hear approaching thunderbumpers I unplug everything and wait for them to pass. Still on surge protectors, but I was also told the ony way to survive a direct hit was to not be plugged in to the wall.

In my shop just about everything is hard wired so I just throw the main switch and take out the breakers when it sounds like it's going to pass right over us.