The Intriguing Effects of Lightning on Electronic Components and Beyond
Lightning, a powerful and unpredictable natural phenomenon, can have startling effects on electronic devices and everyday objects. The variability in how lightning strikes can affect different components, even when they are in the same location and plugged into the same circuit, is a fascinating subject. This article explores several real-world examples and explanations of how lightning disrupts or leaves electronic components untouched, as well as its effects on non-electronic objects.
Case Study: Multiple Devices and Components in One House
Back in my younger days, a stormy evening provided a memorable example of lightning's unique properties. During a particularly intense thunderstorm, my shared TV aerial took a direct hit from a lightning bolt. The resulting impacts were strikingly different. My neighbor's TV set was completely fried, necessitating a claims process for a new television. However, my video recorder was left unscathed, save for a damaged aerial plug. This incident illustrates how lightning can selectively target specific electronic components while leaving others intact. I only had to spend a small amount on a new connector, whereas my neighbor had to incur a significant financial loss for her new TV.
Moreover, similar events occurred in the workplace. In a teaching lab, multiple PCs required repairs or replacement of faulty mains fuses and power supplies. Interestingly, a few rooms down where other computers were also in use stayed completely unaffected. This phenomenon challenges the notion that being in the same circuit or in the same house would result in identical damage. It underscores the importance of taking precautions during electrical storms, particularly in environments with multiple electronic devices.
Impact Beyond Direct Strikes: Indirect Damage
The direct strike of lightning is not the only way these discharges can cause damage to electronic and non-electronic components. In another instance, a TV antenna at my parents' home was struck by lightning. The electricity followed the coaxial cable, damaging an amplifier, the motor of the rotor, and even the motor in the air conditioning unit. The damage was extensive, leaving only a blackened mark on the foundation near the air conditioner. The television connected to this antenna remained intact, highlighting the unpredictability of lightning's impact.
Another unusual incident occurred when lightning struck a tree on a neighboring property. The lightning followed a path down the tree, grounding itself into the soil, and along the way, it peeling a strip of bark about two inches wide. Nearly 75 feet away from the tree, an amplifier on a TV antenna was damaged due to the induced voltage in the wiring. This example demonstrates how lightning can cause damage without actually striking a particular device directly.
Understanding the Physics Behind Lightning Damage
The complexity of lightning strikes can be attributed to several physical and electrical factors. First and foremost, no two seemingly identical devices or objects behave exactly alike electrically due to minute differences in construction and materials. Secondly, the conditions of current path were constantly changing, contributing to the unpredictability of lightning's effects. The electrical current from lightning is extremely short, measured in microseconds, and is influenced by factors such as humidity, air currents, insulation properties, and conductor irregularities. These factors, combined with the high electric field forces involved, make the behavior of lightning remarkably variable.
Conclusion
The effects of lightning on electronic components and non-electronic objects are far-reaching and often baffling. While direct strikes can cause extensive damage, there are cases where lightning damages certain components while leaving others untouched. Understanding these unique effects can help us better prepare for lightning storms and safeguard our electronic devices and property.