There was a thunderstorm today, and a pole transformer got hit not far from where I live.

My surge protector/UPS gave up its ghost in sparks, smoke, and stink - but my computer survived. The device did its job.

The Auld Grump

All I can say is thank god for underground wires....
Heard lots of stories like yours all with overhead wires.
Never seen a surge over the electric with in ground wires.

Honestly my stuff is on surge protectors but I doubt I'll really ever need them.

I never thought that I would need them either, except as a power conditioner (local power is... not the most reliable). A UPS can really help with the occasional brownout.

This time... a hundred dollar UPS saved my twelve hundred dollar computer.

The Auld Grump

I don't own any surge protector like that. Mine are all in the $10-$15 range. I've never run into a situation to test them though. I wonder if they'll work.

I'd really like one of those whole house surge protectors they attach to your fuse box.

From what I understand, the $10-$15 range would not be actual surge protectors (despite calling themselves that) . They are instead power strips.

They are an essential part of any computer...especially if you are one that often works on essential documents.

You actually can get a $15 surge protector/power-cord, but you really need to check it over at that point. Most of the good ones in that price range are for the garage, for things like power-tools and the like. They won't be decorative, but they're reliable as hell.

I was just without power for two hours due to a house fire in my neighborhood (at least that is the reason the power company gave me). This thread had me contemplating another one of these, but now I know I will be doing so with monsoon season starting up.

i have a surge protector but not an UPS unit...

being a teckie (IT) I have both, surge to UPS to computers.

TheAuldGrump New Zealand power is well known for being BAD power, maybe when NZ becomes part of Australia, you power will improve.

There are certain cities that are just terrible. In like Illinois (or somewhere fairly close to MI) there is a city that has THOUSANDS of brown or black outs every year.

Where I live its pretty good. Occasionally a storm or something will make the lights blink and resets the clocks. But its been a long time since it was more than an instant before it came back on.

My apologies for the slight error in countries.

My neighbourhood is pretty sucky with power outtages, I'm glad to have my UPS... although I think it's giving off massive energy as my magic jack can't be anywhere near it.

The power went out at some point last night. I woke up this morning to reset clocks and whatnot.

Howard Clark Cooper developed the first surge protector while working for EFI.

According to wiki answers:

Just FYI