Weather Warning!! Protect your digital systems!

stevelewis

stevelewis

Registered
Posted 3/7/15...With the forcast for severe thunder storms in some parts of the UK overnight, it is worth remembering that it is advisable to disconnect digital systems from both the outdoor track and the mains ( even if switched off at the plug)

Central control units can be destroyed by lightning strikes in the vicinity, I lost an LGB MTS central station a few years ago during the night when we had a storm it was situated in a weatherproof garage but lthe transformer was plugged in ( but switched OFF at the mains socket, the transformer was connected to the Central station and that was connected to the outdoor track.

The storm caused around £10K damage to the roof of a house about 3/4 mile away , that strike was the closest to us, but next day when I tried the system it did not function, so I had to obtain a replacement ( I went Massoth)
There were reports in the area also of people losing PC modems and other associated computer equipment. etc.

Apparently Lighting strikes cause quite a bit of garden railway damage in the USA I read once in a Mag article.
 
Thanks, but actually it was quite a few years ago now and it did give me the opportunity to upgrade to a massoth system, it is interesting to note that the small print in the instruction manuals of some computer manuals ( which of course we never read!!!!!) often has reference to protecting the system from the possiblility of damage when lightening events are occuring.

Never seen such things mentioned in any of the digital model railway systems I have owned over almost 20 years! ::)
 
Couldn't agree more! The outside track seems to act as a giant aerial! After loosing a power pack and a number of of other electronic modules in a storm a few years ago, I always now disconnect the track from the system and the main electronics from any long runs of cable.

We get regular, local thunderstorms here in NW Florida during the summer, so I'd back up the advice to all of you in the UK if you're threatened with any flashy, banging stuff!
 
Few years ago (2004) the old outside telephone pole got a direct strike which dissipated through the connected phone lines.12 of them, one mine with a computer connected via an old modem. Lightning flash, instant crack of thunder, fizzing sound from computer tower and screen goes wibbly wobbly and then blank. Lesson learnt. Computer covered by house insurance policy - brand new computer, new fangled flat screen and nice MS Office software bundle for £50 excess. Result ! I was going to replace the 7 year old box and Windows 95 anyway. There is a God ? Max.
 
Thanks for this advice Steve. Because of this I disconnected the central station last evening and sure enough we had a spectacular storm overnight.
 
We had a storm last night, and, guess what, after a week of truculent silence, my iPad is receiving e-mails again!
 
As it happens we had nothing!! just a few drops of rain, no thunder, although it could be heard rumbling in the far distance, We could actually do with a good downpour to refill the water butts for the garden, I find it quite unusual being in (usually) rainy North Wales!
 
Phew, we had the most spectacular Storm in St.Neots last night. Massoth Kit was unplugged but still had Track Connections in place. Fortunately no Damage.

From now on after a session, will always turn off the Track Power Switches.
JonD
 
stevelewis said:
Posted 3/7/15...With the forcast for severe thunder storms in some parts of the UK overnight, it is worth remembering that it is advisable to disconnect digital systems from both the outdoor track and the mains ( even if switched off at the plug)

Central control units can be destroyed by lightning strikes in the vicinity, I lost an LGB MTS central station a few years ago during the night when we had a storm it was situated in a weatherproof garage but lthe transformer was plugged in ( but switched OFF at the mains socket, the transformer was connected to the Central station and that was connected to the outdoor track.

The storm caused around £10K damage to the roof of a house about 3/4 mile away , that strike was the closest to us, but next day when I tried the system it did not function, so I had to obtain a replacement ( I went Massoth)
There were reports in the area also of people losing PC modems and other associated computer equipment. etc.

Apparently Lighting strikes cause quite a bit of garden railway damage in the USA I read once in a Mag article.
Click to expand...

Took your advice. No damage here despite heavy rain and thunderstorm and lightning around 2 am
 
dunnyrail said:
Phew, we had the most spectacular Storm in St.Neots last night. Massoth Kit was unplugged but still had Track Connections in place. Fortunately no Damage.

From now on after a session, will always turn off the Track Power Switches.
JonD
Click to expand...
Jon,
Turning off track switches will not protect your equipment.. Contact gap in the switch will be 1mm or so, not enough.

You really want a metre gap between the wiring outside, and that inside the house/garage/shed.
Short the track wiring together, and possibly to earth as well. With a nice big break between internal, and external wiring.

Am sure Sparky will come up with some better ideas??
 
YHes best to Physically disconnet the central station from everything, I still site it in the garage and in normal forecasted weather conditions leave it connected ready for use, BUT in situations where electrical storms could be expected I disconnect it and take it into the house ( along with the radio transmitter)
 
Yeah, I never leave the DCC system connected to the track when not in use, why take the risk?

I still remember my parents always insisted we unplug the tv aerial from the wall socket when not in use and during storms!
 
I have just read that there were over 11,000 lightening strikes :o during last nights storm 8)
 
garrymartin said:
I have just read that there were over 11,000 lightening strikes :o during last nights storm 8)
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Makes you think doesnt it!!!! All those digital central stations and PCs etc out of action! (just Jokin!) :D
 
I have one of those "surge protected" 6 gang trailing mains socket that as well as taking "13 amp" plugs allows you to run coax and telephone lines through it for surge protection. I use it to protect the TV/PVR/DVD/VCR. Useful to protect from the mains end of things like power transformer, controller and momentary switches, even if separated from track ? Max.
 
I have one of those surge protector things. When we were on Dial-up, during a storm the power lines were hit - the fireball ran the full length of the house (inside even though the wires were outside) - jumped a 3ft gap from the power to the telephone line and hey presto! A double whammy! Frightening and expensive.

The phones are earthed here with a spike same as the local power lines. I put two extra spikes in for the power (trying to make a quick route to earth - mistakenly hopeful maybe?).
 
trammayo said:
during a storm the power lines were hit - the fireball ran the full length of the house (inside even though the wires were outside) - jumped a 3ft gap from the power to the telephone line and hey presto!
Click to expand...

Scary :o :o :o :o Max
 
It is useful to have a look at the Met. Office website re the Rain Radar which gives a good indication of where Rainfall is and how much there is of it, currently at 08-15 there is quite a bit in the South East of the UK and we are forecast for thunder etc this afternoon ( so much for the planned ballasting!!)

www.metoffice.gov.uk
 
PhilP said:
Jon,
Turning off track switches will not protect your equipment.. Contact gap in the switch will be 1mm or so, not enough.

You really want a metre gap between the wiring outside, and that inside the house/garage/shed.
Short the track wiring together, and possibly to earth as well. With a nice big break between internal, and external wiring.

Am sure Sparky will come up with some better ideas??
Click to expand...

Am in the process of sorting out the inside pf another Shed for Gardening Tooks etc. The sum of this means that I will be able to reorganise the Railway Shed somewhat. To be honest CS is a little constricted in its Location in the Train Shed. So now that more space will be available in said Train Shed will give much thought to What you have said Phil.

I am also wondering if a Wire to Earth from the Track via a Metpost might be a good idea, or would that cause horrible confusion to DCC Signals. It would be something that is put in as a Permanent Link.
JonD
 
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