Re: Thunderbolts and Lightning

[w_tom <w_tom1@usa.net>]

  Apple 2 once installed the same $0.10 components that are
found in power strip and UPS surge protector.  Later, those
components were discontinued because they were too close to
transistors and too far from earth ground to be effective. 
Notice that power strip surge protectors suffer the same
problem - are just as ineffective.  Surge protection must be a
building wide solution since a surge protector is only as
effective as its earth ground.

  Effective surge protection is a system where a surge
protector connects each incoming utility less than 3 meters to
central earth ground.

  Electrostatics from an approaching T-storm would typically
be too low to affect diskette reading.  Furthermore, surge
protector remain inert until 120 VAC typically exceeds 330
volts.  Surge protectors would have nothing to do with charged
air.

Simon Williams wrote:
> 
> Here's an interesting anomalie:
> I recently got a big box of 'brand new' 5-1/4" diskettes at a
> reasonable price, which was cool. I immediately started trying to
> backup a few of my more decrepit-looking disks, but was unable to
> copy, format or do anything with the new disks. Using CopyII+, I tried
> to verify them, but got errors on every track and sector. I tried a
> different computer and a variety of drive combinations, all to no
> avail.
> Shortly afterwards there was a brief and not very exciting
> thunderstorm.
> Today I tried again and have had absolutely no problems with the
> disks, using exactly the same combination of drives and software.
> I wonder if anyone knows if this could have been caused by atmospheric
> electricity due to the approaching thunderstorm.
> I also noticed that the A2 manuals don't say anything about using a
> surge supressor, is this because it is unnecessary, or just that no
> one thought about it back then?
> 
> PS: HAPPY CANADA DAY !!!
> 
> SW