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How to Protect Electronics from Power Surges During a Storm

Use properly selected surge protection before storm season, and never unplug or handle electronics once thunder is audible or lightning is nearby.
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To reduce the risk of storm-related damage, use properly selected surge protection before storm season and disconnect equipment only before a storm threatens and when it is safe. Once thunder is audible or lightning is nearby, do not touch electrical equipment or cords to unplug them. A typical surge protector is not a guarantee against a lightning strike.

Why a storm can damage electronics inside your home

Lightning does not have to strike your house directly to threaten connected devices. It can enter through electrical, phone, plumbing, and radio or television reception systems, and it can travel through the ground. A nearby strike can therefore create a surge risk for equipment inside the home. The National Weather Service explains these indoor lightning paths.

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Surge protection can reduce some risks, but it cannot make electronics lightning-proof. The National Weather Service warns that “Typical surge protectors will not protect equipment from a lightning strike.” Treat a protector as one layer of risk reduction, not a guarantee against a direct strike.

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Should you unplug a TV or computer during a thunderstorm?

Only disconnect equipment before a threatening storm arrives, and only when it is safe to do so. Once the storm is underway, do not reach for plugs, cords, or connected equipment. The National Weather Service says, “Do not unplug equipment during a thunderstorm as there is a risk you could be struck.” Its indoor lightning guidance also advises staying away from electrical equipment and cords.

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If you want to disconnect a device as part of your household plan, do it in advance—not after thunder is audible or lightning is nearby. During a storm, prioritize personal safety over trying to save electronics.

Choose the right kind of surge protection

Whole-home protection

A whole-home surge protective device is installed at the electrical panel and can provide protection at the home’s electrical system. CDC guidance advises equipping homes with whole-house surge protectors. Panel-connected devices require installation by a licensed electrician; UL notes that a whole-house suppressor is hard-wired to the breaker panel and must be installed by a licensed electrician. See CDC’s lightning safety guidance and UL Solutions’ description of whole-house suppressors.

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Point-of-use protection

A plug-in surge protector protects equipment connected to it against certain surges. It is not the same as a basic power strip: UL describes a power strip as an extension cord with multiple outlets, while a surge protector includes a component that clamps certain surges. Check the product for recognized safety certification and make sure its electrical rating suits the connected load. UL’s guide to power strips and surge protectors explains these distinctions.

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Protect the other lines connected to devices

A device may connect to more than household power. Coaxial, telephone, or data lines can also provide a path for a surge. A power-only protector may not protect those connections. If a device uses incoming communication or data lines, check whether compatible protection is needed for those lines too. A complete lightning protection system can address incoming power, data, and communication lines, along with vulnerable equipment; the National Weather Service describes these systems and the role of bonding.

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How to prepare before storm season

  1. Assess the home’s electrical panel. Ask a licensed electrician whether a whole-home surge protective device is suitable and how it should be installed. Follow current local requirements and the device manufacturer’s instructions.
  2. Identify sensitive equipment. List electronics you want to connect to point-of-use protection, including computers, televisions, and devices with coaxial, phone, or data connections.
  3. Select a certified, correctly rated protector. Confirm that the product is a surge protector rather than only a power strip, and check that its rating suits the equipment and load. UL’s selection guidance covers certification and ratings.
  4. Check every connection path. Determine whether incoming coaxial, telephone, or data lines also need compatible protection, rather than assuming a power-only protector covers them.
  5. Make a safe disconnection plan. If you intend to unplug equipment, do it before a storm threatens and only when conditions are safe. Do not handle electrical equipment or cords once a thunderstorm is underway.
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What surge protection can—and cannot—do

Layered protection can reduce some surge risks: a panel-mounted device can protect at the home’s electrical system, while a properly selected plug-in protector can serve connected equipment. Protection needs to account for the lines entering the home and the connections leading to individual devices. None of these measures should be treated as a promise that equipment will survive a direct lightning strike.

For older background on household surge protection, NIST provides a government recommended-practice guide, “Surges Happen! How to Protect the Appliances in Your Home.” Its examples are historical; for installation decisions, follow current local requirements and product instructions rather than treating older guidance as current electrical-code advice.

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