fusebox power supply

[vinnyv]

I am building a new home and have asked several computer/electrical people in my area about this but wanted to pose it here.......we often have severe electrical storms in the mid summer in the south east, i was wondering if I have all my computer eqiupment in the same room and have that room wired to its on fuse in the main or ancillary fusebox, couldnt I just turn that fuse off and avoid any dam age to any components (knowing I must also d/c phone/cable connections) rather than having to pull out my desk and unplugging everything and plugging back in after the storm????
Also.......are those surge protectors really that well against lightning storms???or just power surges from the e-company.....already fried one modem with a direct hit, ever sincethen I try to unplug when Im at home......wouldnt cutting power at the fuse box do just as well??? [sig][/sig]

 

[edfair]

It will do almost as well. But I would use a transfer switch, which is a big relay, as the item that opens the line. Relays are made to make and break, circuit breakers have limited life cycles and fuse clips lose tension from use. The reason I say almost as well is because you'll want the ground and neutral tied solid for safety and the hot lines will be an antenna for induced spikes on close by hits.
Surge suppressors are great for the intermediate sized spikes but are worthless for the big ones. They self destruct to absorb spikes, but you get enough power behind one and the suppressor will fry along with everything else. And they need to be replaced often as they become worthless with use.
Am curious about where in the SE. I live in a hot zone and have only lost 2 modems and 1 power supply that I can definitely attribute to lightning in 15 years And I never unplug. And my customers don't have that much worse a record. Modems seem to take more hits than anything else. [sig]<p>Ed Fair<br><a href=mailto: efair@atlnet.com> efair@atlnet.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br>Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. <br>
Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.<br>
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[rinnis]

Very little you can do for a direct strike. I suggest a whole house surge supressor mounted in your electrical panel. Generally the cost about $50 and are made to fit most manf. panels. Qualified electrician is required. Best protection you can get. [sig][/sig]