[olug] One Point Twenty-One Jigawatts

[Phil Brutsche]

Joe Catanzaro wrote:
 > I didn't grow up in a place that has lots of lightning like the
 > Mid-west, so I have several questions regarding best practices for
 > lightning and computers. Just like many of you, I have about 6
 > computers running 24/7 and would like to prevent the loss of data and
 > fried hardware as much as possible. And bear with me here, I'm not
 > very smart when it comes to lightning strikes.
 >
 > When a storm rolls in, do you turn off the computer?

You mean computers ;)

And no, I don't.

 > Rely on a cheap surge protector? Rely on an expensive surge
 > protector?  Unplug everything?

A good condition APC UPS.  Or rather, several of them.  They typicall 
include surge supression.  Everything stays plugged in.

 > How does the lightning get to my computer? Does it strike the power
 > pole in the back ally and then travel through the circuits in my
 > house? Or does it hit my house directly?

AFAIK both.  Either will do.

 > Are lightning strikes common and is it worth getting that OPPD "whole
 >  house surge protection?"

Good question.  It depends on how much of a surge it'll handle.

 > I grew up in Hawaii and the last thing we were concerned with was a
 > bolt of lightning.

-- 

Phil Brutsche
phil at brutsche.us