Technology
The electronic device no one unplugs during storms and is key to avoiding serious damage
Electrical shocks can cause damage to electronic devices that are plugged into the power supply.
During storms, many people choose to stay home and seek shelter from the rain and bad weather. In fact, a lot of individuals even enjoy staying indoors during rainy periods and stormy weather by binge-watching series or movies. However, when storms involve powerful electrical components, it’s advisable to unplug electronic devices from the power source to prevent damage.
It’s clear that if a lightning storm catches us outside, the advice is that we must never take shelter under a tree. We should also be cautious around large bodies of water like the ocean, rivers, or lakes. But if we’re lucky enough to be at home and the electrical surges are intense, we should be safe and unplug our electronic devices from the electrical grid.
Most buildings are equipped with lightning rods that absorb electrical energy and have electrical systems adapted to possible power surges. Despite this, it’s recommended to unplug all electrical appliances from power outlets. Although we know this, there’s something we often neglect that is the main cause of problems resulting from lightning storms: televisions.
The antenna cable storm danger
When disconnecting devices during a storm, it’s usually enough to switch off the power strip or unplug the device directly from the socket. But we shouldn’t forget the other cables connected to those devices. In the case of televisions, simply turning them off or unplugging the power cable isn’t sufficient. The biggest risk here is, as we mentioned, the antenna cable.
During electrical discharges, the antenna cable, which is typically located at the highest point of the house and therefore susceptible to lightning strikes, can transmit high voltage directly to the TV, causing damage to its components.
According to Wm Henderson, approximately one in every 200 homes is struck by lightning each year, damaging electronics and appliances, or much worse.
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