LIGHTNING

    Lightning is an act of God, therefore, should you be so blessed, there is not really much you can do to protect your electronic equipment. Lightning is a strange animal! It just may melt something into a slag of metal and plastic, or go in and tap just one component! Lightning also likes to jump around inside a unit taking down one circuit and leaving another circuit alone. Repairs could be minor, or the unit may not be repairable. There is also the possibility that  the repair may not be cost effective.  There is really no way of telling until the unit is examined.

Static electricity is something else that will play havoc with your electronics.  Colorado is famous for it, especially during the winter. Walking across the carpet and then discharging your static electricity into your stereo is not a good thing. Generally speaking, zapping 25,000 to 30,000 volts into a piece of electronic equipment is not healthy for that unit.  There are quite of number of static sensitive components in today's electronics.  Many of these components are surface mounted components and are expensive, and for the most part, not replaceable!

    Surge protectors protect consumer electronics from power surges or power fluctuations. It will not stop lightning. I've seen many units with holes burned into their covers by a lightning strike, a surge protector will not stop that.  That said, it is still a good idea to have your electronics plugged into a surge protector.

    Keep in mind that your insurance company may help with your repair bills after a lightning strike.