Singapore Expats

I was speaking to someone at work today and they stated that the lightening storms are very bad here and that he always unplugs all of his expensive electrical equipment every time it storms. I asked if he used surge protectors with fuses and he said it would not matter. Anyone have any intelligent replies to this? Does anyone actually do this? Perhaps I am the lazy fool who wants to rely on his surge protectors.

does happen. had my dect fone blow up!

Yup - even with the surge protector gang, our Starhub modem fried. very inconvenient. We now unplug every time there is a thunderstorm

I have surge protectors where possible. Despite that, in the last 3 1/2 years we've lost 3 TVS, 4 cable boxes, the motor on the gate, and the motor on the dishwasher. It never happens to some people, it really depends on your location. Our lightening protection was just 'upgraded'.

I unplug nothing and that includes 2 TV's, modems, starhub, stereo, computers, printers, scanners, the works. The house does have both a GFCI and surge protector built into the mains. Have lost nothing in 3.5 years.

I was told the northern part of the island is worse. Is it riskier in apartment buildings or houses? I have yet to run into my apartment manager to inquire.

stevebags wrote:I was speaking to someone at work today and they stated that the lightening storms are very bad here and that he always unplugs all of his expensive electrical equipment every time it storms. I asked if he used surge protectors with fuses and he said it would not matter. Anyone have any intelligent replies to this? Does anyone actually do this? Perhaps I am the lazy fool who wants to rely on his surge protectors.

singapore has one of the highest incidence of lightning in the world.

The onus is not to be outdoors when there is a thunderstorm.

Always seek a shelter.

If it rains somewhere near, do not assume the lightning will not spread from there to your location.