Thunderstorms are dramatic natural events, often accompanied by lightning strikes and power surges. While being indoors significantly reduces the risk of direct lightning injury, working on a computer during a thunderstorm is not completely risk-free. Electrical discharges can travel through wiring, phone lines, and internet cables, creating hazards for both people and equipment.
Main Risks for a Person Indoors During a Thunderstorm
1. Electric Shock
- A lightning strike on your building or nearby can cause a power surge through your home’s electrical system.
- If you are in direct contact with a wired device (desktop computer, wired mouse, or keyboard), a high-voltage spike can reach you.
- The risk is higher if your house’s grounding and surge protection are poor.
2. Damage to Electronics
- Lightning-induced surges can instantly destroy a computer’s power supply, motherboard, or hard drive.
- Even if you’re not directly injured, you may lose valuable data.
3. Risk from Wired Internet and Phone Lines
- If you use Ethernet cables or landline modems, a lightning strike to the telephone network or ISP infrastructure can send voltage spikes through these lines.
- This can also cause small shocks to the user.
4. Fire Hazard
- A severe power surge can overheat wiring or damage outlets, potentially causing an electrical fire inside the building.
How to Reduce the Risks
1. Use Surge Protection
- Install high-quality surge protectors or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) with lightning protection.
- Ensure your home’s electrical system is properly grounded.
2. Disconnect During Severe Storms
- For maximum safety, unplug your computer and router during a thunderstorm.
- If possible, avoid using wired connections until the storm passes.
3. Switch to Wireless Devices
- Wireless keyboards, mice, and Wi-Fi reduce the chance of electric shock from direct cable contact.
4. Avoid Direct Contact with Conductors
- Do not touch metal objects connected to the building’s wiring, plumbing, or telephone lines during lightning activity.
5. Backup Important Data
- Power surges can destroy hardware — having cloud or offline backups protects your information.
When the Risk Is Higher
- Living in a region with frequent thunderstorms
- Using old or ungrounded wiring
- Working in tall, isolated buildings without lightning rods
- Using desktop PCs with wired connections instead of laptops on battery mode
Glossary
- Power surge: A sudden, short increase in electrical voltage that can damage devices.
- Grounding: A safety system that directs excess electricity into the earth.
- UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): Device that provides backup power and surge protection.
- Ethernet cable: Wired connection for internet data transfer.
- Lightning rod: Metal rod that directs lightning into the ground safely.
