NBR - Thunderstorm TV advice

[ringmerseagulltoo]

Following the storm last night, I remember that during storms we used to unplug TV's. I never knew if that was in case the roof top aerial was struck by lightening or the possibility of a power surge.

The question is, with all the modern fail safe systems, should I still be doing that?

 

[Coldeanseagull]

I was always told to leave it plugged in, otherwise you have a bolt of lightning looking to earth down to something else?

 

[dazzer6666]

Unless you live on top of a prominent hill I reckon it makes next to no difference - chances of being hit are really, really tiny anyway. There is an argument (can google it) to suggest leaving the TV aerial plugged in a good thing, as if the tiny chance of your house being hit happens to occur, you'll end up with only a fried TV and not a fried house as the TV will absorb the charge. I dunno though, I'm not scientist........more of a fatalist.

Mate of mine's house in Burgess Hill was hit a few years ago. Big hole in the roof, ground floor ceilings fell in and the house needed completely rewiring. Every appliance was fooked.

 

[beorhthelm]

unplugging from mains will only protect from a surge, not a strike to the aerial. for that you'll need to unplug the aerial too. likelihood of a aerial strike is far far lower than the local power grid catching a strike, though thats tiny chance, and somthing should trip and you'll have a power cut. in this case be more concerned with computers getting upset by instant shutdown, so may be good idea to power off when a lightning storm is very local.

 

[Chicken Run]

I'm on holiday at present and unplugged everything in the house including the tv and vcr, left the fridge on though?

 

[easynow]

I'm on holiday at present and unplugged everything in the house including the tv and vcr, left the fridge on though?

Appreciate that, mate. The ice cream was delicious.

 

[drew]

Unless you live on top of a prominent hill I reckon it makes next to no difference - chances of being hit are really, really tiny anyway. There is an argument (can google it) to suggest leaving the TV aerial plugged in a good thing, as if the tiny chance of your house being hit happens to occur, you'll end up with only a fried TV and not a fried house as the TV will absorb the charge. I dunno though, I'm not scientist........more of a fatalist.

Mate of mine's house in Burgess Hill was hit a few years ago. Big hole in the roof, ground floor ceilings fell in and the house needed completely rewiring. Every appliance was fooked.

I saw a lightning strike hit a house in Culpepper. Struck the aerial and blew a hole in the roof. Luckily no one home but the dogs.

 

[dazzer6666]

I saw a lightning strike hit a house in Culpepper. Struck the aerial and blew a hole in the roof. Luckily no one home but the dogs.

Yep, that's it !