A little off-topic - Lightning and Electrical Components

[flameout]

Originally Posted by westom

Surges are hundreds of thousands of joules. View numbers on the most popular protectors or UPS. They only claim to absorb hundreds of joules. A surge easily blows through such devices. Protection is always about where energy is absorbed. Destructively inside a building. Or harmlessly outside.

One correction:

Surge protectors can absorb hundreds of joules... but redirect much more.

By the way, do you happen to be the westom at LinuxQuestions.org?