How did a surge get through????

[AV1611]

In my building I have about 6 computers all using surge protectors. My server, router, switch etc., are all connected to an APC Back UPS Pro.

Over the weekend power went out and got an Onboard NIC in one of the PC's. It has a surge protector on it but not the NIC. How though could a surge get the NIC if all power comes through the Power Cable which has a surge protector and how can I gaurd from this in the future.

Thanks, AV

 

[edfair]

Your NIC is attached to a piece of wire that sometimes acts like an antennae. And if the path of a high current surge happens to parallel the wire it can also act as the secondary of a transformer.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[Tragdor]

Some surge protectors and UPS's have places to connect ethernet cables (if that's what you have) to protect against surges through the cable.

 

[franklin97355]

Some surge supressors also fail.

 

[cdogg]

Also, a surge protector is not necessarily a "line conditioner" meaning that small power fluctuations up and down can still travel through and make it to your PC and NIC. In addition, NIC's are more susceptible than say your PC's power supply.


~cdogg
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[ceh4702]

There is a transformer on a telephone pole behind my house. It was struck with lightning once and it destroyed a 3com hub I had. However the NIC's on my computers were not damaged. A surge can come through a network line or a cable/DSL Line into your network from the outside.

A NIC can also be damaged by the computer it is on. Power Supplies installed in some computers are not always the highest quality. Sometimes a power supply can go bad or just be fluctuating. If the power supply sends a surge then PC components can be damaged.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.