During a thunderstorm, do you have to turn off your computer & tv? Why since the lines run underground?

Question

We used to do this when we had a tv antenna, and ever since I've done it with my tv and computer. Are there risks? I don't unplug my microwave or fridge, so why these two?

Answer 1

You, technically, should unplug all appliances you don't want to blow up.  Having said that, I don't but I do sign off of my pc and I have a really expensive surge protector on it.  If the ground is hit the surge can travel into the household's circuits.  It happened to me a couple of years ago and blew the compressor in my fridge.  Same thing could happen to any appliance left plugged in.  Lightning could also hit the house and travel through the electrical system.

Answer 2

All I can tell you is that we lost 2500.00 worth of electronic equipment because of a close lightening strike.  If we would have unplugged stuff, we would have been okay.  Your home is supposed to be grounded and in most cases this grounding will take care of any spikes in the lines.   But in the unusual case, like what we had, damage can be done to your electronic stuff.  Since this incident, we went and purchased really good surge protectors and everything electrical in our house has been hooked up to surge protectors.  Of course, we have not had any problems since!  =)  A good surge protector is worth its weight in gold if it saves a 2000.00 computer or a 100.00 microwave or a 1000.00 refrigerator from frying in a nasty lightening storm.