In reply to a post by hoopla:

More of a problem is surge protection. About half of our power cuts seem to be followed by a voltage surge on (or before) power resumption. Over time, I've added more surge protection, but it still kills stuff from time to time.

I believe SPD's now mandatory under the latest 18th edition regs. but is worthwhile retrofit in my opinion - having been victim too some crazy lightning related surges.