Hi Gunnar. Isn't lightning form of electro-static discharge?
We have lost our wireless internet modem/adapter several times when there were lightning discharges miles away.
We installed an APC UPS/Surge suppressor and have only lost two modems since.
Fortunately the service provider has run out of old stock and the latest replacement has much better protection.
It must have been a very poor design, and I suspect that the roof mounted antenna was directing a surge into the back door of the modem where surges were not expected. We never lost any other equipment during a storm, just the modems.
I agree completely that not much gets through the distribution transformer and the cables.
One time I phoned in and the girl asked my what I thought the problem may have been.
I mentioned that it may have been a lightning storm.
"I'm sorry. We don't give warranty coverage for lightning damage."
"Just a minute. I don't know what caused the damage. You asked me what I though and I made a guess but I have no way of knowing for sure."
"Please hold. I have to speak to my supervisor."
A short time later.
"We will be sending you a replacement modem at no charge."
I learned.
The next time we lost a modem about the time of a storm.
"I have no idea what happened. It just stopped working." It was much safer. Let them prove that it was not lightning.
The point is, to agree with you, the power circuit protections are pretty good, but an electro-static discharge where it is not expected, whether body discharge from a finger or a lightning induced discharge through the back door, bypassing the protection circuits can get you.
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
