Pc is very slow and unusable after electricity failure.

Electronics atop the Empire State Building suffer about 23 direct lightning strikes annually without damage. On the WTC, it was 40 direct strikes. Routine are direct strikes without damage. If protection is defined by a protector, then ineffective protection exists. Where is this 'nothing' protection when direct lightning strikes without damage has been routine for over 100 years?

4000 joules is tiny. Protectors must be rated to make even direct lightning strikes irrelevant. That means at least 50,000 amps. Because lightning is typically 20,000 amps. That protector must connect direct lightning strikes to earth - and remain functional. For homeowners, it costs about $1 per protected appliance.

When lightning does damage, a routine response is to find and fix a defect in that protection system. An investigation starts with the most important component in any protection system - single point earth ground.

Again, protection is not defined by a protector. That protector is simple dumb science. Must connect low impedance (ie 'less than 10 feet') to earth. And must be sized (ie 50,000 amps) so as to not fail even from a direct lightning strike.

Unfortuntely some observe rare failures. Then assume all direct lightning strikes are destructive. Well over 95% of tree struck by lightning have no visual indication. But some see the exception. Then assume all lightning strikes are that destructive.

Increasing to 4000 joules to absorb surges that are hundreds of thousands of joules is misguided. Essential feature for any protector is its low impedance and dedicated wire to single point earth ground. Protectors without that dedicated ground are best avoided as ineffective and overpriced.

 

Sounds like the Ram or some of it was damaged. Herman

 

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'Everyday' small surges are called noise. Electronic power supplies convert that into power for its semiconductors. Advertising myths relabel that noise as a 'surge' to inspire fear and sales.

For example, this 120 sine wave UPS in battery backup mode is 200 volts square waves with a spike of up to 270 volts. Power so 'dirty' as to be potentially harmful to motorized appliances and power strip protectors. And ideal power for electronics. Even that noise is routinely converted by electronics into 'clean', stable, low voltage electricity. However that noise will degrade plug-in protectors.

UPS noise is many times larger than other 'everyday' noise. Most noise, such as from a major appliance, is maybe as much as ten volts. Your protector completely ignores it to not quickly degrade. Degradation (survival) is why a 120 volt protector, rated at 330 volts, ignores "everyday small surges".

Concern is a rare transient that can ovewhelm protection already inside all appliances. That may occur once every seven years. Something completely different (also called a protector) is necessary.


APC recall problem always exists, to a lesser extent, in all plug-in protectors. A problem made even more dangerous when protectors sit on a rug or in dust balls behind furniture.

APCs were only worst case examples. Undersized protectors are dependent on an emergency protection circuit to disconnect from such surges. While leaving that surge connected to an adjacent computer (that protects itself). That APC was particularly dangerous; was slowest to disconnect.


Obtain a series mode filter (ie Brickwall, Surgex, Zerosurge) to protect from "everyday small surges"; tiny and frequent noise. These must be heavy and expensive. Series mode filters (not protectors) absorb tiny spikes.


"Word assoication" gets many to confuse a plug-in protector with something completely different: "whole house protector". Same expression defines two completely different devices. A 'whole house' solution protects from all types of surges including ones that actually cause appliance damage. To do 99.5% of the protection. Plug-in protector might add another 0.2% protection. Only a 'whole house' solution also protects electronics in a dishwasher, stove, air conditioner, and smoke detectors.

What is critical after a surge? Smoke detectors. What protects them?


"Word association" even creates a myth about motherboard protection. A USB surge is a USB device drawing too much current. How is that surge related a high voltage that a power strip might address? No relationship. The word 'surge' has numerous, unrelated meanings.

A motherboard surge is a low DC voltage. How is that surge related high voltage that a power strip might address? No relationship. Generalities use 'surge' for numerous unrelated anomalies. Or to create fear and confusion. A surge can be too much voltage, too much current with a low voltage, or too little current. 'Surge' says nothing useful without specification numbers. Your motherboard does not do what a plug-in protector or 'whole house' protector does. A USB port surge is also completely different.


Your protector is a similar but less dangerous version of the APC recalled protectors. Fire has always been a problem. Plug-in protectors need protection provided by a 'whole house' protector. Fires occurred even inside fire department buildings. Your concern is near 100% protection from other types of surges that can actually cause damage. That can overwhlem existing protection inside appliances. Surges (called noise) are converted by electronics into useful power.

 

Seems you didn't understand what I said. I am saying that you cannot use a protector (surge, ups etc) to protect from lightning strikes, you have to divert to ground.

 

I understood what you said. And added underlying details.

A minimal 'whole house' protector for AC mains must be at least 50,000 amps. Amps (not joules) are the important specification. These sell for as little as $60. If that protector is damaged, then the venue may need a 100,000 amp protector.
How earthing is installed is more critical. Since earth harmlessly dissipate hundreds of thousands of joules.

Earthing is the 'art' of protection. And, as you said, where that energy must be diverted. Protectors are only simple dumb science. A connecting device to what actually does the protection: single point earth ground.

You will probably appreciate this case study more than most. However the system refuses to let me post it. Rebuild the link:
three Ws dot copper.org/applications/electrical/pq/casestudy/nebraska.html

 

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50ft rods, wonder what they drove that down with ?

 

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