As an electrical engineer with extensive experience in power systems and protective devices, I've often been asked about the role of power strips and their ability to protect electronic devices from extreme electrical events such as lightning strikes. It's a crucial question, as lightning can cause significant damage to electrical equipment if not properly managed.

Power Strips and Their Basic Function
Power strips, also known as surge protectors, are devices designed to protect electrical equipment from voltage spikes and surges. They typically consist of multiple outlets and a circuit that detects voltage fluctuations. When a surge is detected, the power strip diverts the excess voltage into the ground, thereby protecting the connected devices.

The Challenge of Lightning Strikes
However, when it comes to lightning, the situation is quite different. Lightning strikes produce an extremely high voltage and current, which can range from thousands to millions of amperes. This level of current is far beyond what a standard power strip or surge protector is designed to handle.

**Limitations of Power Strips Against Lightning**
A common surge protector is equipped to handle voltage spikes and surges that are typically within the range of a few thousand volts. However, the voltage from a lightning strike can be in the range of hundreds of millions to billions of volts. The current associated with a lightning strike is also too great for a power strip to safely divert.

**Direct Lightning Strike vs. Indirect Effects**
It's important to distinguish between the effects of a direct lightning strike and the indirect effects that can still cause damage. A direct strike would indeed overwhelm any power strip or surge protector. However, indirect effects such as induced voltage from nearby lightning strikes can be mitigated to some extent by surge protectors. These protectors can help reduce the risk of damage from voltage spikes that may be induced in power lines or communication cables.

The Role of Advanced Protection Systems
For comprehensive lightning protection, a more robust system is required. This often includes a combination of external and internal measures such as lightning rods to direct the strike away from structures, grounding systems to safely dissipate the energy, and specialized surge protection devices (SPDs) that are designed to handle the higher energy levels associated with lightning.

Conclusion
In conclusion, while power strips provide a level of protection against everyday voltage fluctuations and surges, they are not equipped to handle the immense power of a lightning strike. For true lightning protection, a more comprehensive approach involving specialized equipment and practices is necessary. It's always recommended to consult with a professional in the field to ensure that your protection strategy is adequate for your specific needs.

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TRUTH: Unfortunately not. A common surge protector will stop voltage spikes and surges, but not the violent, catastrophic burst of current from a close lightning strike. Direct lightning current is simply too big to protect with a little electronic device inside a power strip, or even a hefty UPS unit.read more >>