Do you use a surge protector?

[madison2000]

[RevCheesehead]

1. Yes, absolutely.

The transformer outside my house was zapped by lightning a few years ago. I had a surge protector, but failed to have the modem protected. I lost the computer, but I had "lightning coverage" and got a brand new computer.

I lost a TV, too - but that wasn't covered.
Scared the crap out of me (and the cats are just now settling down from it).

[Wcross]

2. UPS 750w battery backup system-hooked to a surge strip n/t

[Trillo]

3. Isolate the ground!

And if you have 220, run all capacitance start motors (such as laundry) on one 110 phase, electronics on the other.

[TreasonousBastard]

4. Ever seen a real surge protector?

One about the size of a small closet?

The dinky little things they sell in computer stores with a tiny capacitor and an induction coil might help with small spikes, but if you really get hit, they'll go up in smoke, along with everyhing else plugged in the room.

Most elctronics out now can handle a short spike up to a couple of hundred volts-- just the thing a surge protector is protecting you from.

[RazzleCat]

5. another UPS user

got a UPS from a job site, not just protection, but it can run the whole shebang for about 4 hours if the need should arise. And yes my ground is isolated, and we do get a lot of lighting in my area, worth every penny.

[Deja Q]

6. Surge protector and a UPS here. Low end surge strips wouldn't stop a

9 volt battery from overloading it. And the costly protectors are only slightly less expensive than a UPS, which is infinitely better at protecting against electrical anomalies.

[GCP]

7. UPS.

Best thing ever.

[Ellipsis]

8. Not much will protect you from a direct strike

A modem surge is most important. Clamping response time is the typical feature to look for. A surge protector with guarantee, is well worth the investment. In 15 years, with a client base of about 1000 machines (all Macs), we replaced 5 machines, all because of modem surges.

[madison2000]

9. Wow I learned a lot from this post

thank you techie DUers