Thunderstorms.

[NoshowJones]

I apologise if this is a stupid question.

Can anyone tell me that if I am online and I hear thunder, is it safe to watch downloaded movies

as long as I go offline, without any damage being done to my modem or whatever?

[happynthailand]

damage will be bad,if lighting strikes real close by

most modems will be toast,I've lost 3 from lighting

[Gary A]

If it strikes the power line, your computer will likely be toast. A friend of mine has a couple of large deep cycle batteries and an inverter. He keeps the batteries charged with a small charger. When it is threatening rain and he hears thunder, he unplugs everything and runs off his batteries.

I have gone a step farther, my computer room is completely off the main grid and is solar powered. My Internet comes from an air card, no phone lines here anyways. Three years now and never a problem.

[KhunBENQ]

Watch it on a laptop/pad on battery.

Disconnect/unplug all the rest (incoming internet line, power line) if you are afraid.

What do you mean with "go offline"?

A downloaded video is of course independent from internet connection.

Some extreme exceptions could proof the rule (license checks?).

Edited May 26, 2016 by KhunBENQ

[NoshowJones]

damage will be bad,if lighting strikes real close by

most modems will be toast,I've lost 3 from lighting

Yes, but if you are not online, and maybe watching a movie you have downloaded, can lightning still cause damage to your modem?

[NoshowJones]

Watch it on a laptop/pad on battery.

Disconnect/unplug all the rest (incoming internet line, power line) if you are afraid.

What do you mean with "go offline"?

A downloaded video is of course independent from internet connection.

Some extreme exceptions could proof the rule (license checks?).

I mean if you are not on the internet, but I do have a laptop also, you have given me the answer.

I will use my laptop on the battery when the next thunder comes. Thanks.

[slipperylobster]

20 years in southeast asia on a laptop at home.

Never fried one...and never bought any fancy protection.

Just lucky, I guess.

No lightning strikes on my house or surrounding wires...ever.

Current fluctuates wildly here...but still no effect. Modem connects and disconnects...then connects when power becomes

Other than direct lightning bolts..no problem. '

Everything I have is autovolt..and handles surges pretty well. Not saying they will stand up to a direct hit.

[Lannig]

damage will be bad,if lighting strikes real close by

most modems will be toast,I've lost 3 from lighting

Yes, but if you are not online, and maybe watching a movie you have downloaded, can lightning still cause damage to your modem?

Lighting can cause damage to your modem as long as it is physically connected to your phone line and to a power plug.

Physically disconnect both and it's safe.

Well, technically it could even get damaged if there's a long Ethernet cable connected to it and running around the house, close to the exteriors but this would require a close strike.

Much more likely if the cable goes from one house to the adjacent one (happened to me). It has fried one of the Ethernet ports for good.

[gandalf12]

Easy way to protect your computer from surges is to use it on Wi-Fi and disconnect the power cable when there are thunderstorms around. Agreed you will only get to use it for the life of the battery but for many things that will probably be sufficient

Edited May 26, 2016 by gandalf12