PT200DX Technical Question

[rake]

Here's one for the guys in the know.

Okay, I'm in the southeast (North Carolina) and soon thunderstorm season will again be on us.
I've had some issues with lightning taking out equipment. Last season in just one storm I had
a computer, a modem, a monitor, 3 phones, three phone lines + jacks (went up in flames), a
shop exhaust fan and a lathe speed controller all go POOF! BTW it blew the phone interface
right off the house. We're in "the sand" and grounding is an issue. (code says only one ground rod)

My question for the techies is, should I leave the unit unplugged when not in use?

[Rambozo]

My question for the techies is, should I leave the unit unplugged when not in use?

Yes.

Since just "yes" is too short to be an allowed post, semiconductors and lightning do not get along, even on machines designed to make small lightning themselves.

[Grizzly1944]

Yes,

I've seen TV sets and other valuable appliances get fried by electrical discharge caused by lightening.

Disconnect if you want to keep it!

[Mr120]

That's a lot of crazy damage from lightning. Absolutely unplug anything not in use if lightning in your area can do that.

BTW - I highly doubt "surge suppressors" would help any of your 120v devices under those kinds of conditions.

[Paul Moir]

Yeah, but unlike most of those it's got a real power switch right?

[Rambozo]

Yeah, but unlike most of those it's got a real power switch right?

True, but that is probably a 1/4" air gap. Not a real impediment to a million volts or so looking for a path to ground.

[everlastsupport]

Very true, it can jump a lot farther than 1/4". Unplug it for sure and all else electronic you can. Also it can come in through cable system, sat dishes, telco lines, roots of tree can broadcast a strike if it hits a tree. So it is not just the AC lines. On the welder, just the power and you are fine.