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.......the TV aerial from the TV during a thunderstorm.....

Storms are becoming more 'violent' over here and where we used to have a lot of 'sheet' lightning, we now have 'fork' lightning. There has been a lot of damage to property lately so ..... should we remove the aerial or not. If we do, is it ok if it rests on the floor or should it dangle or as someone suggested....stick it in a bucket of sand.

Now that we have DVD, satellite recievers and all manner of other devices connected to the TV and insurance companies consider lightning strikes to be 'an act of God' and won't therefore 'pay out', it seems prudent to be prepared.

Any advice folks ?

Your aerial is a lightening rod. Check with an electrician, but you really need to make sure it is well-grounded. I believe there are surge protectors you can install (simple plug-in) between your aerial and tv. Still, unplugging the aerial cable is the most prudent.

Bez, do you not remove your telephone cable too

Betty Boop wrote: Bez, do you not remove your telephone cable too


I don't do anything !

Accountable wrote: Your aerial is a lightening rod. Check with an electrician, but you really need to make sure it is well-grounded. I believe there are surge protectors you can install (simple plug-in) between your aerial and tv. Still, unplugging the aerial cable is the most prudent.


Hasn't the 'charge' got to go somewhere ?

If I left it on the floor, wouldn't it set fire to the carpet / floorboards ?

Bez wrote: .......the TV aerial from the TV during a thunderstorm.....

Storms are becoming more 'violent' over here and where we used to have a lot of 'sheet' lightning, we now have 'fork' lightning. There has been a lot of damage to property lately so ..... should we remove the aerial or not. If we do, is it ok if it rests on the floor or should it dangle or as someone suggested....stick it in a bucket of sand.

Now that we have DVD, satellite recievers and all manner of other devices connected to the TV and insurance companies consider lightning strikes to be 'an act of God' and won't therefore 'pay out', it seems prudent to be prepared.

Any advice folks ?


I disagree that thunderstorms are becoming more violent - I think that the

effects are seen more because we have more sensitive electrical stuff now.

If you are worried, then un-plug sensitive electrical items from the mains,

and disconnect your ariel.

A "surge protecting" device won't help WRT lightning. Just unplug the ariel

lead from the box.

In the last few weeks, I've had one NIC fried, and heard of another being

fried, + a router, + a PVR - all these were left plugged in.

Bill Sikes wrote: I disagree that thunderstorms are becoming more violent - I think that the

effects are seen more because we have more sensitive electrical stuff now.




It is just my perception Bill that where we once had a lot of sheet lightning, we now have more fork lightning......

Thanks for your advice.....I guess I should start unplugging things instead of thinking 'it won't happen to me' !

Pinky wrote: I run around like a loony unplugging everything, then sit in the dark with my eyes shut and the MP3 player up full whack!

Someone usually comes to get me when it's over...:-3


I used to be ...ummm...un-nerved by thunderstorms but quite like them now although last Saturday it was so loud I kept ducking...lord knows why.

I love storms, the more violent the better!

I've even passed it on to my kids, I just always made it seem like a fun thing whenever there was a storm, so now that they're older they really enjoy it.

Bez wrote: Hasn't the 'charge' got to go somewhere ?



If I left it on the floor, wouldn't it set fire to the carpet / floorboards ?




Oh my God Bezzy ! Run ! Run like the wind. Run nilly willy....just run !

Pinky wrote: I'll be hiding with my MP3 player....I just hope someone lets me know when it's over, or I'll be sat in the cupboard all night!:-3




We'll let you know when its ok to come out. Are you in the cupboard now ?

Well, if you mean the TV arial on the top of the house or whatever, then you certainly should not go anywhere near it, if there is a thunderstorm, it should be earthed anyway as like was said earlier they do act as lightening conductors. Best thing to do if you are worried is just swith off the lecky at the main board, and stay inside the house.

Of course if you want to be adventurous, you could build a laboratory and try and harness the essential life force in the lightening (which is also contaned in cosmic crystals, wire pyramids, and weetabix) to animate some sort of insane creature made up from dead body parts and the brain of an executed mass murderer. Now there is a slight chance that it might backfire and he will turn on you and go on a rampage that can only be stopped by an enraged mob with pitchforks, but then again you might make a new (semi-undead) friend. Its your call.

Accountable wrote: Your aerial is a lightening rod. Check with an electrician, but you really need to make sure it is well-grounded. I believe there are surge protectors you can install (simple plug-in) between your aerial and tv. Still, unplugging the aerial cable is the most prudent.

Bez wrote: Hasn't the 'charge' got to go somewhere ?



If I left it on the floor, wouldn't it set fire to the carpet / floorboards ?
If that much energy comes through the cable, it'd burn the house down whether it's plugged in or not.



Is the storm over?

Accountable wrote:

If that much energy comes through the cable, it'd burn the house down whether it's plugged in or not.



Is the storm over?


It hasn't even arrived ! Bloomin forecasters have got it wrong again. ....anyway, 2 leads have been unplugged, but I'm guessing I won't remenber where they go next time someone wants to watch the TV. :rolleyes:

Galbally wrote: Well, if you mean the TV arial on the top of the house or whatever, then you certainly should not go anywhere near it, if there is a thunderstorm, it should be earthed anyway as like was said earlier they do act as lightening conductors. Best thing to do if you are worried is just swith off the lecky at the main board, and stay inside the house.

Of course if you want to be adventurous, you could build a laboratory and try and harness the essential life force in the lightening (which is also contaned in cosmic crystals, wire pyramids, and weetabix) to animate some sort of insane creature made up from dead body parts and the brain of an executed mass murderer. Now there is a slight chance that it might backfire and he will turn on you and go on a rampage that can only be stopped by an enraged mob with pitchforks, but then again you might make a new (semi-undead) friend. Its your call.

I've just sent in planning permission for the building of a new lab. as I realise I am spending far too much time at FG and need to find some other outlet for my ....um....rare talents....a new (semi-undead) friend sounds cool in my current 'life state' ... as always your advice is invaluable Galbally :-4

Bez wrote: It hasn't even arrived ! Bloomin forecasters have got it wrong again. ....anyway, 2 leads have been unplugged, but I'm guessing I won't remenber where they go next time someone wants to watch the TV. :rolleyes:
I know your wall plugs are much larger than ours, so you may not have it, but we have 6-outlet surge protectors for computers. Some come with outlets for the phone and tv cable, so if lightning or something like that hits, the only thing damaged is the surge protector.



Perhaps DIY has something like that for you?

Accountable wrote: I know your wall plugs are much larger than ours, so you may not have it, but we have 6-outlet surge protectors for computers. Some come with outlets for the phone and tv cable, so if lightning or something like that hits, the only thing damaged is the surge protector.



Perhaps DIY has something like that for you?


I have an extension lead that has all things computer connected to it...this is surge protected.

The other stuff is not covered by any protection unfortunately.

Accountable wrote: I know your wall plugs are much larger than ours, so you may not have it, but we have 6-outlet surge protectors for computers. Some come with outlets for the phone and tv cable, so if lightning or something like that hits, the only thing damaged is the surge protector.



Perhaps DIY has something like that for you?


Surge protection won't help against a lightning strike....

Bill Sikes wrote: Surge protection won't help against a lightning strike....Yeh, I guess it'd arc across any breaker.



Guess it's a good thing I'm in logistics, huh?

Accountable wrote: Yeh, I guess it'd arc across any breaker.


Sorry, I wasn't trying to take the p. It's true, the electric has already jumped

uuite a distance, a little bit more doesn't bother it... not to say that surge

protectors aren't worth having, to mitigate the lesser effects felt within the supply network.

Sometimes people say that a car is a safe place to be, 'cos of the tyres "being

insulation". The same applies, a spark will jump that distance anyway (car tyres

are somewhat conductive, too). However, a car is a very safe place to be in a thunderstorm, due to effects first noted by a Mr. Faraday!