[NTLUG:Discuss] lightening!

[kbrannen@gte.net]

Kelledin wrote:
> On Tuesday 15 July 2003 01:00 am, kbrannen at gte.net wrote:
> 
>>So learn from my errors.  Find a network surge protector, or
>>use the RH45 port on your UPS (if it has one).  No guarantees,
>>but it will probably help.
> 
> 
> Yikes, man!  All your computers got fried?  Ouch. :(

A painful way to upgrade.

> 
> A couple of things...
> 
> 1) Usually any RJ45 port on your UPS isn't really for Cat5 surge 
> protection, it's for remote management. ;)  I've yet to see many 
> surge suppressors or UPS devices with an RJ45 protective 
> pass-through.  I'm sure they exist, they're just not that easy 
> to find...

It's from PK Electronics, model "Blackout Buster".  I picked it up from 
Altecs, IIRC.  On the back are 2 RJ45 ports labeled "Internet In" and 
"Internet Out", plus a RJ11 port labeled "Data Out".  The RJ11 port would be 
to talk to the computer to tell it it's on battery and to shut down.

> 
> 2) About point of entry: in a normal Category 5/6 wiring job, I 
> would think the only way lightning should be able to reach your 
> Ethernet cables would be through a networked device (i.e. 
> lightning strikes your hub) or through an improperly exposed 
> cable (i.e. indoor RJ45 cable run outdoors).  IMHO that's why 
> there aren't many Cat5 surge suppression devices--you can 
> protect your network cables simply as a consequence of 
> protecting any network-connected devices (this includes the 
> little things like hubs and powered repeaters).  That normally 
> just involves protection on power, phone, and cable lines, 
> because those are typically the only practical methods of 
> ingress for lightning. (BTW, has anyone ever seen surge 
> suppressors or UPS units that handle TV cable lines?)

Generally speaking (just leaving room for "miracles", :-) I agree with you. 
However, what you don't know is on the outside of my house is a metal antenae 
for wireless DSL, with a RJ45 cable going down the brick wall, thru a conduit, 
into a converter, to a computer (as a router), to a hub, to many computers. 
Suffice to say, it was easy for the lightening to reach my network. :-(  The 
repair guy said it fried every piece of equipment they supply, including the 
converter (of the wire pairs), which he'd never seen fried anywhere else.

...
> 
> If you need to run RJ45 cable outdoors for some reason, a few 
> companies like Avaya (http://www.avaya.com) carry outdoor RJ45 
> cabling supplies and entrance protection devices.  And of 
> course, it helps to know the building and electrical codes when 
> wiring your house for Cat5--or at least know the consequences if 
> you find it necessary to fudge. ;)

Thanks!  I'll check them out.

> 
> 3) Whyever did people stop using lightning rods?  It seems to me 
> that a properly set up lightning rod would be a very simple 
> protection feature to have on a building.  But they seem to have 
> lost a lot of popularity.

Actually, about 10 minutes down the road in Argyle, there's a store/service 
that sells them.  I have now considered paying them a visit for information. 
:-)  My question is, if I install lightening rods on the house, will that 
attract more lightening?

I think I need to check out the UPS Chris mentioned too.

Kevin