My phone line is all underground to the house so I don't worry about lightning.

.. and what if somewhere nearby takes a hit, and your pair is in the same cable ? I have seen a 500 pair E side cable borked by a hit coming from a house on the D-side.

In reply to a post by ARD:

... To play extra safe I think I'll phone for a pizza tonight!

Better put the phone on loudspeaker and shout from the other side of the room.

All the lines around here are underground.

You (ie the house) do not have to be DIRECTLY struck by lightning for damage to be caused. Most telecomms equipment damage is caused by indirect hits, that is a strike to ground between you and the Exchange. This will cause a massive rise in Earth potential, and/or voltage on the line. However lightning strikes do not always cause damage. One of the most hit areas in the country is around Gatwick Airport, but very little damage ensues because of the railway line draining the voltage away!

If you are worried during a lightning storm, unplug the phone/BB line and all network connections from your kit.

John

Unless the UK is defferent from the USA, studies have shown that underground plant is affected / suffers damage MORE that overhead plant in thunder storms.

Tis a fact of life.

Oneday, he'll find out the hard way

Strewth, there does seem to be an effort to make people worry about lightning. I still don't care. I will not unplug my router just because there's a thunderstorm.

It's up to you.

I always unplug everything. Some of us have seen the results of lightning strikes 50 - 100 metres away, & explained to customers that their router / phone / computer / tv / etc, are only fit for the dump.

A strike 50 metres from a 4 story town house, resulted in molten plastic from a phone in the hallway, being found my me on the bannister knob on the top floor, & yes, they were fed via underground cable.

What's wrong with unplugging stuff for 1/2 - 1 hour, compared to the hassle / time wasted / money wasted, to get the stuff replaced.

I'm beginning to be surprised anyone gets to adulthood with all this dangerous lightning about.

You guys seriously unplug everything in your house when there's a thunderstorm?

wow.

I know what it can do, but I think I'll take my chances. Life on the edge!