Unplugging My Equipment - Yes or No?

[W9TR]

Originally Posted by crwilli

Unplug it all. Don’t forget any Ethernet cables... Cheapest insurance there is.

When you unplug your gear, you lose the line to ground lightning protection built into it. So in addition to Ethernet cables, you need to remove all antenna leads from outside antennas, satellite dishes, cable boxes, etc. Basically remove all lightning sneak paths into your gear.

Now is also a great time to make sure all your cable/internet and outside antenna installations are properly grounded before they enter your dwelling per NEC. Most are not.

Tom

[bigblue]

What is the best reason NOT to unplug?
Besides from the fact that it will take an hour or so to heat up again...

[PHC1]

Will never forget the time I lost $35k worth of gear in a “lightning storm”? Most of it was plugged in to surge suppressors. Pffft. I hear thunder and my gear gets unplugged these days.

[Mikeylee]

When I leave on vacation, I like to hook my stereo up to a long cheap extension cord plugged into the open outlet where my refrigerator is plugged in. I figure my refrigerator will act as a buffer before the stereo gets hit.

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Will never forget the time I lost $35k worth of gear in a lightning storm. Most of it was plugged in to surge suppressors. Pffft. I hear thunder and my gear gets unplugged these days.

Whoa!

Please - Give us more details on this.

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by Mikeylee

When I leave on vacation, I like to hook my stereo up to a long cheap extension cord plugged into the open outlet where my refrigerator is plugged in. I figure my refrigerator will act as a buffer before the stereo gets hit.

I don’t see how that can work. If purpose built surge processors can protect you, I don’t think a refrigerator will.

On the other hand, Panamax surge protectors come with a big dollar guarantee.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

Whoa!

Please - Give us more details on this.

I posted about it some years back. In fact I’m not even sure to this day if there was actual lightning but some kind of a power surge sure did a number on my gear. https://www.audioaficionado.org/show...ight=Lightning

[Grasshopper]

Wow!

Scary indeed. Sorry you had to go through that-

Originally Posted by PHC1

I posted about it some years back. In fact I’m not even sure to this day if there was actual lightning but some kind of a power surge sure did a number on my gear. https://www.audioaficionado.org/show...ight=Lightning

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by bigblue

What is the best reason NOT to unplug?
Besides from the fact that it will take an hour or so to heat up again...

????????? , what have you been drinking ?

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by Mikeylee

When I leave on vacation, I like to hook my stereo up to a long cheap extension cord plugged into the open outlet where my refrigerator is plugged in. I figure my refrigerator will act as a buffer before the stereo gets hit.

well that ranks right up there with the 'stupid suggestion' of the day ! ..... LOL, I assume you were joking !