Notebooks for Teachers - Lightning damage to Notebooks

A Real Issue

There is a view that computer damage resulting from lightning strikes may be something of an "urban legend". Unfortunately this is definitely not the case. Lightning bolts can carry over a hundred million volts and surges may come through either mains power or telephone lines. They will often ruin a computer's modem or motherboard; other parts can also be damaged and personal injuries may be possible (see below). Other electronic devices may also be damaged in the same way.

Personal Safety

Please be aware of the risks posed by thunderstorms, and act accordingly:

• •     If you are outdoors, go indoors (and close windows) when you hear thunder;

  •     If you are using a notebook, remove your mains power from the wall socket (you can run on battery power instead);

  •     If you are connected to the Internet, shut down the connection and physically remove the telephone cable from the wall socket.

• It's also worth noting that it remains unsafe even today to make land-line telephone calls during thunderstorms.  Injuries and deaths resulting from lightning strikes on phone lines are not commonplace but do happen every year around the world.  The Department is not aware of any case of lightning-related injury while using a notebook but it does seem a plausible possibility. Better safe than sorry!

Preventing Damage

Fortunately it is easy to prevent lightning damage to electronic equipment.  As suggested above, unplugging devices from wall connections will provide good protection, or, purchasing and installing a good surge suppressor will also help.  If opting for a surge suppressor, careful selection of good-quality equipment is vital - a cheap generic power-board type will probably not be rated for protection against the large surges associated with lightning. 

 

Surge suppressors designed for computer use are available and some also include surge suppression for telephone lines. These are obviously more expensive, but better models often also include a guarantee covering any damage to your equipment that may actually occur. Check specifications carefully and make your purchase accordingly.

Insurance Coverage

Risk Cover, the Department's insurer, regards lightning damage as being largely user-preventable since in most cases users have warning of a storm before strikes begin nearby.  However at this stage Risk Cover will usually cover claims resulting from lightning damage, provided "contributory negligence" is not involved.

 

It is possible that if numbers of cases continue to grow, Risk Cover may make changes to policy on this matter. This is why it is very desirable to reduce the numbers of incidents.

Further Information

A wide variety of further information on the topic of lightning and computers is available on the Internet - searching via Google, Yahoo etc with keywords such as "lightning damage" and "computers" is recommended.
 

Please note that the Department of Education and Training provides this information in good faith but cannot accept liability for any damage, injury or other loss associated with following or failing to follow the above advice.

Please feel free to contact the Notebooks for Teachers Program Administration Team by email if you would like any further information on the Program.