I was writing to a friend about RF (Coaxial) Cable Protection for a Cable Modem, TV, HDTV Tuner, DVR Satellite Tuner etc and thought it would be good to share with others. So, here is what I wrote...
Yep, Cable Lines are just as likely to be hit by a Lightning Surge as Electrical or Telephone Lines. But a Surge from a Blown Transformer would only come down the Electrical Line and wouldn't hit the Cable Modem. Blown Transformers is a common thing, that happens when a line is hit by Lightning or during "Peak Usage" times in the Summer. It happens in our neighborhood at least once or twice every Summer. About 10 years ago a house down the street burned down because of a Lightning Strike that blew a Transformer and then ran right on past it to a house. The house had some old Electrical Wiring in the Attic. I was driving down the road and saw it happen. I saw a glimpse of the Electricity running down the Power line towards the house. but I wasn't sure at the time, if I really saw it or not. It was such a quick flash. I stopped and watched the house a while and decided everything was ok. No smoke or flames in the Attic, of either house connected to that Line. What I didn't know, was that some wires in the attack had heated up and smoldered for a few hours, which caught the house on fire and burned it to the ground. Several mentally handicapped people who were living there with a woman who took care of them died in that fire. I didn't even know about them living there until after that happened. I believe my neighbor later told me that the Fire Department did come out before the fire stated and thought everything was ok. Can't remember for sure now. But, I learned to respect the Lightning allot more that day. I thought I knew more than I did about lightning and Electrical Surges at the time. I didn't even think of the wires causing something to smolder for hours before a fire would start. I thought that since Lightning was so Hot, that a fire would Start Immediately. It still makes me sad to think of it and regret not calling the Fire Department that day. Even though I figured they wouldn't listen to me about a possible Lightning Strike that I wasn't sure if I saw it or not... But, back to the info about your Cable Modem... It's not Practical to unhook your RF Cable Line when you think Lightning is on the way. And you can seldom tell when it is going to hit anyway. Or you may be away from home when Lightning Strikes. A couple of years ago, our Lines were hit when we were not expecting it, of course:O I believe it was only partly cloudy and not raining that day. The Lightning strike did not come down the Electrical or Cable Lines. It came down between ours and our neighbors houses and only effected our two houses. It didn't damage either house. Just the surge cam down our Electrical Lines. We only know that because another Neighbor across the street was on his front Porch and saw the strike. It was a great Blessing that we had most of our Electronics Protected. But, we should have had Protection on everything (I know Better). Only 2 of our small HDTV Tuners, TV's were hit. We lost 1 TV and 2 HDTV Tuners (they were unprotected). And my Router was messed up but not completely ruined. It was on a Protected line, but must have had more sensitive electronics in it than the Modem. The Router works on the local Network, but wont get online any more. I sent it in to be fixed, but it came back just the same. I sent it on the last day or so of the Warranty. So, I couldn't send it back again. With the increased Storms we have all over the Country these Days. You should definitely have some Protection on your Electrical and your Cable Line, to Protect your Modem and your Computer. If it is hooked up to the Modem via Ethernet Cable or USB Cable, which ever way you hook your computer up to the Modem Your Computer can get hit through the RF Cable Line as well as from the Electrical Line. If your Computer is connecting to the Modem via a Wireless Router, either built in to the Modem or a separate Wireless Router Connected to the Modem. Then your Computer will be safe from Surges that hit the Modem (but the modem is still vulnerable). Your Computer will still be Vulnerable to Hits from the Electrical Line, if you have it Plugged in and Charging. I'm thinking that you said you have a Lap Top Computer. If you are using a regular Desktop Computer then it is all ways Vulnerable to hits on the Electrical Line, wither it is On or Off. So, Here's a few AC Electrical Line Protectors with built in RF Cable Line Protection too. Some have Phone Line (RJ-45) Protection also. This could be used if you have a Regular Phone Line Modem for Faxing. Or if you use the Phone Line connected to your Cable Box or DVR or Satellite Receiver in order to buy Movies on the TV (for instance). You can Protect both your HDTV Tuners, TV's and Cable Modem with a good RF Cable Line Protector. You will need 2 connections for each Device with an RF Cable Coming to it that you need to Protect (an in and an out). So, for 1 HDTV Tuner, TV and 1 Cable Modem you would need a Surge Protector with 4 RF Cable Connections or 2 Separate Surge protectors if they are too far apart to share 1 Surge Protector. You will also need another RF Cable to Complete the Connection to your Device Cable Modem or HDTV Tuner, TV. After you Hook the RF Cable Coming in to the House to the Surge Protector. Then Hook the second shorter Cable (what ever length you need, usually 3 to 8 feet) to your Cable Modem or HDTV Tuner, TV. The setup will be the same for RJ-11 Phone Lines as well (Rj-11 phone line in and out). As for a good Surge Protector. The higher the Joule Rating the better Protection they provide. I don't look at brand names allot, since they don't mean much anymore these days. But I do like Tripp Lite and most of my Surge Protectors are Tirpp Lite Brand. Some of them are about 10 years old and worked well during the Lightning strike a Couple of Years ago, along with quite a few Blown Transformers. I have a CyberPower Battery Backup for my Computers. The Surge Protection Part Still works but the Battery Charging Circuit Stopped Working when it was 2 to 3 years old. It did protect the 2 Computers that I had plugged in to it during the lighting Strike and through the 8 or so years of Blown Transformers each Summer. But most of all, I look as Specs and Customer Ratings on the Sites and of course the Price. Here's a few examples...
Tripp Lite HT706TSAT Home Theater Surge Suppressor
Brand: Tripp Lite | Model: HT706TSAT
Overview
Tripp Lite's HT706TSAT Home Theatre Surge Suppressor provides protection, up to 1680 joules, for 7 outlets, 2 coaxial lines, and 2 RJ11 ports (telephone/modem). $100,000 Ultimate Lifetime Insurance coverage (USA and Canada only)
Highlights
* Protects against a surge of up to 1680 joules
* Ideal for small home theatre installations
* 7 outlets, 2 coaxial lines, and 2 RJ11 ports (telephone/modem)
* $100,000 Ulimate Lifetime Insurance
Package includes power center (with two diagnostic LEDs), 6 ft. cord with a right-angle plug, 6 ft. coaxial cable and 6 ft. phone cord. (So you wont have to buy them separately)
Part #: 125-019 Weight: 1.50 lbs. $23.80
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=125-019
Tripp Lite HT706TV Home Theater Surge Suppressor
Brand: Tripp Lite | Model: HT706TV
Overview
Tripp Lite's HT706TV Home Theater Surge Suppressor provides up to 1080 joules of protection for 7 electrical outlets and 1 coaxial line. $50,000 Ultimate Lifetime Insurance coverage.
Highlights
* Provides high-performance protection (1080 joules)
* Ideal for small home theater installations
* 7 outlets and 1 coaxial line are protected
* $50,000 Ultimate Lifetime Insurance
Package includes power center (with two diagnostic LEDs), 6 ft. cord with a right-angle plug, 6 ft. coaxial cable and 6 ft. phone cord. (So you wont have to buy them separately)
Part #: 125-018 Weight: 1.50 lbs. $20.97
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=125-018
Sanus ELM202-X1 Elements Surge Protector
Brand: Sanus Systems | Model: ELM202-X1
Overview
The Sanus Elements ELM202 is a low-profile surge protector that sits just 1.5" from the wall, making it ideal for use behind wall mounts and furniture.
Highlights
* LED indicator lights show surge protector is properly grounded and functioning correctly
* Includes input and output jacks for protection of phone, fax or modem and cable or satellite signal
* Guards valuable equipment w/2,100 joule surge protection
* Plugs directly into wall for a discreet appearance
* Includes electromagnetic and radio frequency noise filtration
* Sits just 1.5" from the wall, making it ideal for use behind wall mounts and furniture
* Six surge-protected outlets swivel 90ยบ to right or left, placing cables nearly flush against wall
Part #: 240-8758 Weight: 1.00 lbs. $19.99
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=240-8758
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?searchFilter=RF+CABLE&srchExt=&perPage=25&sortBy=3&layout=list&page=1&srchPrice=&srchCat=&srchMfg=&srchPromo=&srchAttr=
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?searchFilter=&srchExt=CAT&perPage=25&sortBy=3&layout=list&page=1&srchPrice=&srchCat=152&srchMfg=&srchPromo=&srchAttr=
I have some In-line RF (Coaxial) Cable Surge protectors in all of my RF Cables. That's actually what has protect my RE Cables, Cable Modem, HDTV Tuner, TV's etc for all of these years. I bought them 8 or 10 years ago in sets of 2 for about $1.50 each from Parts Express. Here's one that is similar. But I think this is too high for just one of them (but I did buy mine about 10 years ago). Still, if you already have a good Surge Protector without RF (Coaxial) Cable Protection Built in. Then some like these could save you some money. You can just screw these on to the Input of your Cable Modem, HDTV Tuner,TV, Satellite Receiver, Cable Box, DVR, VCR etc... and then just connect your RF Cable to the female end of this Surge Protector. If you wire the in a Daisy Chain fashion through each Device. Then you will only need one per TV. Put it on the first Device, Cable Box, Satellite Tuner, HDTV Tuner, which ever device does your Tuning for your TV signal and then go from there to each other Device in the Chain until you end up connecting to the TV Last. unless of course, all you have is a Digital TV with a built in HDTV Tuner...
Don
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=180-190%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&FTR=Coax%20Surge%20Protector
RF cable surge protector - Google Shopping Search
http://www.google.com/search?q=rf+cable+surge+protector&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1024&bih=542&tbs=shop:1,p_ord:r
Coax cable surge protector - Google Shopping Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1126&bih=635&tbs=shop%3A1%2Cp_ord%3Ar&q=coax+cable+surge+protector&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=
Yep, Cable Lines are just as likely to be hit by a Lightning Surge as Electrical or Telephone Lines. But a Surge from a Blown Transformer would only come down the Electrical Line and wouldn't hit the Cable Modem. Blown Transformers is a common thing, that happens when a line is hit by Lightning or during "Peak Usage" times in the Summer. It happens in our neighborhood at least once or twice every Summer. About 10 years ago a house down the street burned down because of a Lightning Strike that blew a Transformer and then ran right on past it to a house. The house had some old Electrical Wiring in the Attic. I was driving down the road and saw it happen. I saw a glimpse of the Electricity running down the Power line towards the house. but I wasn't sure at the time, if I really saw it or not. It was such a quick flash. I stopped and watched the house a while and decided everything was ok. No smoke or flames in the Attic, of either house connected to that Line. What I didn't know, was that some wires in the attack had heated up and smoldered for a few hours, which caught the house on fire and burned it to the ground. Several mentally handicapped people who were living there with a woman who took care of them died in that fire. I didn't even know about them living there until after that happened. I believe my neighbor later told me that the Fire Department did come out before the fire stated and thought everything was ok. Can't remember for sure now. But, I learned to respect the Lightning allot more that day. I thought I knew more than I did about lightning and Electrical Surges at the time. I didn't even think of the wires causing something to smolder for hours before a fire would start. I thought that since Lightning was so Hot, that a fire would Start Immediately. It still makes me sad to think of it and regret not calling the Fire Department that day. Even though I figured they wouldn't listen to me about a possible Lightning Strike that I wasn't sure if I saw it or not... But, back to the info about your Cable Modem... It's not Practical to unhook your RF Cable Line when you think Lightning is on the way. And you can seldom tell when it is going to hit anyway. Or you may be away from home when Lightning Strikes. A couple of years ago, our Lines were hit when we were not expecting it, of course:O I believe it was only partly cloudy and not raining that day. The Lightning strike did not come down the Electrical or Cable Lines. It came down between ours and our neighbors houses and only effected our two houses. It didn't damage either house. Just the surge cam down our Electrical Lines. We only know that because another Neighbor across the street was on his front Porch and saw the strike. It was a great Blessing that we had most of our Electronics Protected. But, we should have had Protection on everything (I know Better). Only 2 of our small HDTV Tuners, TV's were hit. We lost 1 TV and 2 HDTV Tuners (they were unprotected). And my Router was messed up but not completely ruined. It was on a Protected line, but must have had more sensitive electronics in it than the Modem. The Router works on the local Network, but wont get online any more. I sent it in to be fixed, but it came back just the same. I sent it on the last day or so of the Warranty. So, I couldn't send it back again. With the increased Storms we have all over the Country these Days. You should definitely have some Protection on your Electrical and your Cable Line, to Protect your Modem and your Computer. If it is hooked up to the Modem via Ethernet Cable or USB Cable, which ever way you hook your computer up to the Modem Your Computer can get hit through the RF Cable Line as well as from the Electrical Line. If your Computer is connecting to the Modem via a Wireless Router, either built in to the Modem or a separate Wireless Router Connected to the Modem. Then your Computer will be safe from Surges that hit the Modem (but the modem is still vulnerable). Your Computer will still be Vulnerable to Hits from the Electrical Line, if you have it Plugged in and Charging. I'm thinking that you said you have a Lap Top Computer. If you are using a regular Desktop Computer then it is all ways Vulnerable to hits on the Electrical Line, wither it is On or Off. So, Here's a few AC Electrical Line Protectors with built in RF Cable Line Protection too. Some have Phone Line (RJ-45) Protection also. This could be used if you have a Regular Phone Line Modem for Faxing. Or if you use the Phone Line connected to your Cable Box or DVR or Satellite Receiver in order to buy Movies on the TV (for instance). You can Protect both your HDTV Tuners, TV's and Cable Modem with a good RF Cable Line Protector. You will need 2 connections for each Device with an RF Cable Coming to it that you need to Protect (an in and an out). So, for 1 HDTV Tuner, TV and 1 Cable Modem you would need a Surge Protector with 4 RF Cable Connections or 2 Separate Surge protectors if they are too far apart to share 1 Surge Protector. You will also need another RF Cable to Complete the Connection to your Device Cable Modem or HDTV Tuner, TV. After you Hook the RF Cable Coming in to the House to the Surge Protector. Then Hook the second shorter Cable (what ever length you need, usually 3 to 8 feet) to your Cable Modem or HDTV Tuner, TV. The setup will be the same for RJ-11 Phone Lines as well (Rj-11 phone line in and out). As for a good Surge Protector. The higher the Joule Rating the better Protection they provide. I don't look at brand names allot, since they don't mean much anymore these days. But I do like Tripp Lite and most of my Surge Protectors are Tirpp Lite Brand. Some of them are about 10 years old and worked well during the Lightning strike a Couple of Years ago, along with quite a few Blown Transformers. I have a CyberPower Battery Backup for my Computers. The Surge Protection Part Still works but the Battery Charging Circuit Stopped Working when it was 2 to 3 years old. It did protect the 2 Computers that I had plugged in to it during the lighting Strike and through the 8 or so years of Blown Transformers each Summer. But most of all, I look as Specs and Customer Ratings on the Sites and of course the Price. Here's a few examples...
Tripp Lite HT706TSAT Home Theater Surge Suppressor
Brand: Tripp Lite | Model: HT706TSAT
Overview
Tripp Lite's HT706TSAT Home Theatre Surge Suppressor provides protection, up to 1680 joules, for 7 outlets, 2 coaxial lines, and 2 RJ11 ports (telephone/modem). $100,000 Ultimate Lifetime Insurance coverage (USA and Canada only)
Highlights
* Protects against a surge of up to 1680 joules
* Ideal for small home theatre installations
* 7 outlets, 2 coaxial lines, and 2 RJ11 ports (telephone/modem)
* $100,000 Ulimate Lifetime Insurance
Package includes power center (with two diagnostic LEDs), 6 ft. cord with a right-angle plug, 6 ft. coaxial cable and 6 ft. phone cord. (So you wont have to buy them separately)
Part #: 125-019 Weight: 1.50 lbs. $23.80
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=125-019
Tripp Lite HT706TV Home Theater Surge Suppressor
Brand: Tripp Lite | Model: HT706TV
Overview
Tripp Lite's HT706TV Home Theater Surge Suppressor provides up to 1080 joules of protection for 7 electrical outlets and 1 coaxial line. $50,000 Ultimate Lifetime Insurance coverage.
Highlights
* Provides high-performance protection (1080 joules)
* Ideal for small home theater installations
* 7 outlets and 1 coaxial line are protected
* $50,000 Ultimate Lifetime Insurance
Package includes power center (with two diagnostic LEDs), 6 ft. cord with a right-angle plug, 6 ft. coaxial cable and 6 ft. phone cord. (So you wont have to buy them separately)
Part #: 125-018 Weight: 1.50 lbs. $20.97
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=125-018
Sanus ELM202-X1 Elements Surge Protector
Brand: Sanus Systems | Model: ELM202-X1
Overview
The Sanus Elements ELM202 is a low-profile surge protector that sits just 1.5" from the wall, making it ideal for use behind wall mounts and furniture.
Highlights
* LED indicator lights show surge protector is properly grounded and functioning correctly
* Includes input and output jacks for protection of phone, fax or modem and cable or satellite signal
* Guards valuable equipment w/2,100 joule surge protection
* Plugs directly into wall for a discreet appearance
* Includes electromagnetic and radio frequency noise filtration
* Sits just 1.5" from the wall, making it ideal for use behind wall mounts and furniture
* Six surge-protected outlets swivel 90ยบ to right or left, placing cables nearly flush against wall
Part #: 240-8758 Weight: 1.00 lbs. $19.99
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=240-8758
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I have some In-line RF (Coaxial) Cable Surge protectors in all of my RF Cables. That's actually what has protect my RE Cables, Cable Modem, HDTV Tuner, TV's etc for all of these years. I bought them 8 or 10 years ago in sets of 2 for about $1.50 each from Parts Express. Here's one that is similar. But I think this is too high for just one of them (but I did buy mine about 10 years ago). Still, if you already have a good Surge Protector without RF (Coaxial) Cable Protection Built in. Then some like these could save you some money. You can just screw these on to the Input of your Cable Modem, HDTV Tuner,TV, Satellite Receiver, Cable Box, DVR, VCR etc... and then just connect your RF Cable to the female end of this Surge Protector. If you wire the in a Daisy Chain fashion through each Device. Then you will only need one per TV. Put it on the first Device, Cable Box, Satellite Tuner, HDTV Tuner, which ever device does your Tuning for your TV signal and then go from there to each other Device in the Chain until you end up connecting to the TV Last. unless of course, all you have is a Digital TV with a built in HDTV Tuner...
Don
In-Line Coaxial Surge Protector
Brand: Parts Express
Overview
Protects your expensive equipment from damage by lightning and power surges. "F" male to "F" female.
| Part #: | 180-190 | Weight: | 0.07 lbs. |
RF cable surge protector - Google Shopping Search
http://www.google.com/search?q=rf+cable+surge+protector&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1024&bih=542&tbs=shop:1,p_ord:r
Coax cable surge protector - Google Shopping Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1126&bih=635&tbs=shop%3A1%2Cp_ord%3Ar&q=coax+cable+surge+protector&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=
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