[Elecraft] Automatic lightning protection for radios, .... an off the wall idea

[Bill Frantz]

While serious lightning protection for structures and other 
robust things must be done outside the building, I have heard 
reports of K3S USB chips being fried from currents induced in 
the USB cable attached to the radio, with the suggestion of 
disconnecting the cable to protect the chip. I don't see how to 
do this disconnect outside the building.

When I consider a direct strike on my shack's lighting rods, I 
see massive currents flowing down the thick aluminum cables from 
the rods to the grounding system. I see these currents inducing 
currents in any wires in the house, including the USB cable. The 
lightning rods are the first level of protection, but may not be 
enough to protect sensitive electronic equipment. Remember, when 
we work on these radios, we have a grounding wrist strap and a 
conductive mat on the work surface etc.

73 Bill AE6JV

On 1/18/21 at 11:38 AM, rmcgraw at blomand.net (Bob McGraw) wrote:

>Just remember that ALL lightning protection must be 
>accomplished outside of the house or structure.  Do not think 
>for one minute that one can provide lightning protection inside 
>the equipment or structure.

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