On Fri, 08 Oct 2004 05:35:32 +0000, NSM wrote:


"James Sweet" wrote in message
news:jcp9d.5644$eq1.2343@trnddc08...

| Lightning can cause some very bizarre failures indeed. I had a USR modem
| years ago that failed after a nearby lightning strike (rare here) and the
| problem turned out to be a 10 ohm surface mount resistor with a crater in
| it. Replaced it with a normal resistor and it worked fine until it was
| retired years later.

What most people think is caused by lightning is really caused by induction.
A direct lightning strike will turn your computer etc. into a pile of
bubbling slag. A strike near the phone line causing induction elsewhere will
zap things in very odd ways.

Not really. Most of the lightning damage is caused by ground currents
going where you don't want them to go. A strike on a tree in the back
yard can fry all electronics in the house ifthe grounds aren't done
right. There should only be *one* ground (floating boats theory) and if
there must be more they must all be bonded together with some serious
conductors (see: floating boats).

--
Keith