Help Desk Tips: Protecting Your Devices from Lightning Strikes and Power Surges
As an Indianapolis Ridiculously Helpful IT based company it’s our job to provide Help Desk Tips on every topic. LEAP Managed IT is all too familiar with the crazy Midwest weather. During the summer and fall months, the Midwest tends to get hit with intense storms, some of which result in damage. Here at LEAP, we want to make sure our Indianapolis clients are aware of the effects lightning strikes and power surges can have on their electronics and the steps they can take to prevent future damage. Here’s 3 different Help Desk Tips to protect your business and electronics from intense lightning strikes and power surges.
UNPLUG
First and easiest of the Help Desk Tips is the most efficient way to prevent damage to your electronics from lightning or power surges is to simply unplug your devices. Lightning strikes and power surges result in a spike of the electric current, sending too many volts of electricity to your electronics. Plugged in devices are vulnerable to damage from these spikes in electricity, ultimately putting you at risk for losing everything stored in the device and the device itself. Our Help Desk Tip suggestion, regularly back up your files and unplug non-essential devices during storms.
SURGE PROTECTION
Second is the Surge! Surge protection can come in four different forms. (Type 1) service entrance surge protectors, (Type 2) whole-house surge protectors, (Type 3) receptacle surge protectors, (Type 12) combination types. Installing surge protection is a more expensive solution, but a necessary investment. It’s recommended that you have at least Type 2 protection; not just relying on the bare minimum or cheap surge protection plug-in strips.
HIRE AN ELECTRICIAN & GET INSURANCE
Third, have an electrician to survey and test your grounding system. Invest lightning insurance if you aren’t already. Most fire insurance covers fire by lightning, but not always the damage. We suggest making sure your insurance covers lightning strike and power surge damage.
30-30 LIGHTNING RULE
Last of the Help Desk Tips is the 30-30 lightning rule. The easiest way to determine if lightning is in your area is to count the seconds between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder. If it is less their 30 seconds, lightning is near. When the storm is over, wait 30 minutes after last hearing thunder to plug your devices back in.
For more Help Desk Tips call our IT Experts at LEAP Managed IT. We help businesses grow in Indianapolis, Carmel, Zionville, Greenwood, Mucnie and the tri-state area. Visit us today!
