Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!codas!bernie
From: bernie@codas.att.com (Bernie Brown)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.misc
Subject: Re: Protecting computer equipment
Message-ID: <24182@codas.att.com>
Date: 30 Jun 88 17:00:56 GMT
References: <1188@gmu90x.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T, Altamonte Springs, FL
Lines: 37

In article <1188@gmu90x.UUCP>, dana@gmu90x.UUCP (J Dana Eckart) writes:
> 
> ... what can I do to reduce the risk of damage via power and phone lines,
> particularly from lightning?
>
> As I understand it, there are basically two ways to protect the power
> source: line conditioning and/or uninterruptible power supplies.

True, BUT the reliability of both depends on how close to you the lighting
strikes.  The closer the strike is, the less chance you have of stopping it.
The UPS is better and more expensive (your price guess was close enough).
We use them here at work, but we also have over $50K in equipment.  Some of
them do have the capability to send an electical signal when the power fails.
Then you just have figure out how to wire up and teach the computer how to
interpret the signal and respond to it (not an easy job).

> Likewise, there are protection boxes for telephone lines.  Are these
> devices capable of making my modem safer from lightning strikes?  

Usually the telephone company's protector should be enough.  If the strike
gets through it, it will probably get through anything else.  But, heck, it
couldn't hurt.

SIDELIGHT:
Living in central Florida, the alleged lighting capital of the world with
thunderstorms almost daily for the entire summer, gives one a great
appreciation for the power of lighting.  A paramedic got stunned two days
ago while getting into the rescue truck inside the garage. OUCH!

Hope this helps a little.

Bernie
bernie@codas.att.com
-- 
Bernie Brown
AT&T, Altamonte Springs, FL (305)767-2668
bernie@codas.att.com