South of UK - thunderstorms - time to switch off the kit?

Phew that was a close one and I'm glad all seems ok.

When there's any thunderstorms in our area I always disconnect my TV & Radio antenna and unplug my music system.

funny I'm just playing 'Summer & Lightning by E.L.O. 

Trouble is, sometimes there are thunderstorms when none have been predicted...

Innocent Bystander posted:

Trouble is, sometimes there are thunderstorms when none have been predicted...

And thats why we have insurance, or at least should have insurance. 

Innocent Bystander posted:

Trouble is, sometimes there are thunderstorms when none have been predicted...

I didn't hear it coming....seems that it's killed my BT 'phone! - but internet via hub remains OK.

My experience suggests that phone lines are the most susceptible. It's amazing how much destructive energy can travel down a very thin copper wire, and that includes Ethernet cables. That's one reason I changed to fibre optic network cabling. 

Along with unplugging your HiFi from the mains and pulling the TV/FM aerial, disconnect the phone line too. 

Happy Listener posted:

I didn't hear it coming....

Weather forecast says we won't have any rain or storm this evening & apart from a light grey overcast,  I believe them      -      However my Mk-II audio receptors tell me different,  I hear rumblings & not so far away.     

ChrisSU posted:

My experience suggests that phone lines are the most susceptible. It's amazing how much destructive energy can travel down a very thin copper wire, and that includes Ethernet cables. That's one reason I changed to fibre optic network cabling. 

Along with unplugging your HiFi from the mains and pulling the TV/FM aerial, disconnect the phone line too. 

Here it lightning on the overhead electrical supply that causes the most issues. The 11kV feeds are generally higher than the phone copper bundle wires... however the electrical distribution system appears well designed  as the surges from lightning seem to very rarely cause much damage - but sometimes a pole transformer or  district substation is put out of action for several hours or longer.

BTW no storms over in the east today - but it has clouded over with high cloud from around the 7pm, and the swifts are out in force....

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

ChrisSU posted:

My experience suggests that phone lines are the most susceptible. It's amazing how much destructive energy can travel down a very thin copper wire, and that includes Ethernet cables. That's one reason I changed to fibre optic network cabling. 

Along with unplugging your HiFi from the mains and pulling the TV/FM aerial, disconnect the phone line too. 

Here it lightning on the overhead electrical supply that causes the most issues. The 11kV feeds are generally higher than the phone copper bundle wires... however the electrical distribution system appears well designed  as the surges from lightning seem to very rarely cause much damage - but sometimes a pole transformer or  district substation is put out of action for several hours or longer.

BTW no storms over in the east today - but it has clouded over with high cloud from around the 7pm, and the swifts are out in force....

Hi Simon

My assertion about phone lines relates mostly to my own house, where they higher than the electrical supply cables, so more likely to be hit. I guess the main thing to remember is that there are 3 different cabling routes that might get hit in most houses - electricity, TV/FM aerials, and phone lines, so the safest strategy would be to disconnect all three of them.

Quite a lot of lightning here in Canterbury - system now off and unplugged......

ATB. George

Around forty years ago we had an old valve radio in the Electrical Engineering company I worked at and it was perfect for picking up the very low frequency (VFL) whistlers which accompanied nearby lightning.  A loud high pitched whine could be heard which dropped down in frequency over several seconds to a near motor boarding sound.  If I remember correctly it ended with a crackle when the lightning flashed.

The phenomenon of VLF Whistlers and sferics is quite fascinating and well worth a search on 'tinterweb.  

i did switch off systems late afternoon yesterday when the weather was looking intimidating -- but it rumbled loudly for a while and then died down -- so late last night, i needed music so switched it back on... seems there was o drama at night as all is OK this am --- phew!

enjoy

ken

ChrisSU posted:       ...........   the safest strategy would be to disconnect all three of them.

OK but that does not mean you are safe.  - My TV aerials where hit some years ago (both on the same pole, one ended up on the front lawn, the other on the rear lawn/patio)   We were away & had taken the usual precaution of disconnecting & turning everything off.   Pretty much everything electrical in the house was wrecked, all the hifi (except the Rega-3) ,  every TV,  every phone, burglar alarm,  TV & alarm cables were mostly just carbon tracks, cooker & washing machine timers,  consumer unit was loose on the wall, even my disconnected & in the store cupboard guitar amp.    Also nearby neighbours had all phones & TV's damaged   ..............  if the house gets a direct hit its toast for most. 

If you want better protection then its lightning conductors all around the house periphery & ridge lines with correct ground/earthing & mains power surge arrester.  My old property in SA had all that plus two 20m high lightning poles at each end.  

A direct strike indeed is potebtially a major issue, and not just for electrical items... but fortunately is very rare unless the house is in a particularly vulnerable spot (e.g. significantly taller tban other buildings around, or isolated on top of a hill).

The given advice is aimed at more general risk because even with a storm some distance away electrical 'spikes' can be transmitted through either phone (data) or mains supply cabling, to which sensitive electronic components are particularly vulnerable. Although some things may be fitted with bypass/suppression circuitry, whether internal or as a separate in-line device, its effectiveness depends on the magnitude and duration of any spikes, while there is some belief that such circuitry can have an adverse effect on sound quality and therefore may not be present.

Well OK, there's only so much you can do before resorting to the house insurance.