Lightning strikes cause immense damage to electrical devices in Germany every year. It’s no longer just classic devices such as televisions or satellite dishes that are affected. Modern technology such as routers, telephone systems and permanently installed smart home devices are also increasingly at risk.
Lightning damage and surges
A thunderstorm can not only lead to direct lightning damage, but also to dangerous voltage surges. These get into houses and apartments in different ways. Particularly perfidious: Even if a device is not currently in use, it can be damaged or even destroyed by the electrical connection. According to t3n.de, permanently installed smart home systems that cannot be easily disconnected from the power grid are particularly at risk.
The summer months, especially from June to August, are considered the main season for lightning strikes in Germany. Thunderstorms occur particularly frequently in the south of the country. However, the problem can basically occur anywhere where electrical devices are connected to the power or data network.
Is it still enough to pull the plug?
The classic act of unplugging remains an important form of protection. As soon as a device is no longer connected to the power grid, lightning can no longer damage it, according to t3n.de. But this measure has clear limits. The biggest weak point are the signal lines: Surge voltages can still reach the house via DSL, antenna or coaxial cables. A simple socket switch or switching off a multiple socket is not enough here; just completely unplugging the plug can help, as Vodafone emphasizes. For smart home applications, only properly installed surge protection protects against damage.
Reliable protection
A combination of different measures offers the best protection. As already mentioned, all plugs should always be unplugged when a thunderstorm approaches – especially for sensitive devices such as televisions, routers, telephone systems and charging stations for electric cars.
For a long-term solution, we recommend installing surge protection devices. Pay attention to high-quality products with VDE or VdS test marks, says Vodafone. These devices can intercept and forward surges in the power grid before they damage the connected devices. However, the problem with data lines remains: Surge protection filters for DSL or coaxial cables can slow down data transmission and are therefore not always practical, points out t3n.de.
It is advisable to install a roof lightning rod for the entire house, which will keep the brunt of a lightning strike away from the building in the event of an emergency. Such lightning protection is particularly useful if you use a lot of permanently installed devices or if there is already an increased risk of lightning damage.
Editorial team finanzen.net