Lightning on internal modems: a myth?

Hello, everyone!

In Manila, we are used to advices from local PC dealers that the external modem is "safer ", as well as more durable, than the internal type.

Reason: Internal modems are prone to lightning strikes which would also damage one's PC system. Is this a myth?

I would appreciate your inputs to close the bookon this issue. (There's raging debates about it here.)


Toastmaster

 

The more durable and ( I will add reliable ) part is quite correct. With which I will very much agree.

I say yes, it is as you say a MYTH.

ANYTHING, whether it be the PC or anything else that is hooked to a telephone line or electrical power is subject to damage by power surges and/or lightning strikes.

Both the Internal and the External use the same phone line and if the line gets hit with lightning it will ( or at least may ) FRY either one. Along with the telephone itself.

If the External get hits It may also go right on through and get to the PC itself. But maybe not as much chance as the External ( the phone line anyway ) is not connected directly to the PC as an Internal would be.

The electrical side of the External usually has an adapter to reduce the voltage. So a strike on that side might get the adapter first and not get to the Modem. But I would not count on it.

So I would say that the Internal would be more of a chance at getting to the PC due to the direct connection.

The best attempt at protection is to have a surge protector that will protect both the electrical and phone lines. Even then a driect hit on either line may not protect anything.

A surge protector may protect against same but a direct hit could destroy it AND the PC.

BillyBob

 

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reason: Internal modems are prone to lightning strikes which would also damage one's PC system. Is this a myth
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BillyBob's reply:

I say yes, it is as you say a MYTH.
__________________
I would agree with BB's explanation and description, but add it is not a myth. A direct hit on a telephone line or a power line has unpredictable results. The proximity and direct connection of the internal to the motherboard may have a more profound affect than an external that is cable connected. Power surge may knock out the ac/dc adapter and go no farther via the modem route!! Who would know. Strange and weird results can be expected is the only consistency.

Always pull the plug if one has advanced warnings

 

OOPS !! I Goofed.

KenKeith Is correct.

And I thank him for pointing out the error.

It is not a Myth

An Internal may cause more damage by having a direct connection but it sure is not a Myth.

BillyBob

 

Ditto on that - have seen a lot more damage to machines from lightning on internal modems than on externals, but they both can fry an otherwise perfectly good system. Have also seen a lot more damage from spikes on phone lines and cable than spikes on power lines.

 

An important thing to check is the grounding electrode connection at the "Point Of Connection" of the service involved. The National Electrical Code requires that any wiring that services a premise must be grounded at the entrance point. This applies to power lines, telephone wires, cable systems, and any others.

All services are required to connect to a "Common" grounding electrode. This keeps lightning damage to a minimum, especially from an induced surge, but a direct stroke will still do massive damage.

The external modem would be a very wise choice in areas prone to high lightning activity. The damage caused by a lightning proximity induced surge or other power spikes will likely be confined to the external modem itself, whereas with the internal card modem, it's likely to damage other parts of the computer board.

Bottom line; use the external modem and check all your services for proper grounding at the point of entrance.