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Re:Ask HN: My house just got hit by lightning and it fried t... by accountofme on Thursday May 05, 2022 @04:39AM (#31271007)
sadly it won't work ... the lightning will go around the switch through the air, just like it did all the way down.

Edit: spelling

Re:Ask HN: My house just got hit by lightning and it fried t... by amelius on Thursday May 05, 2022 @08:06AM (#31272279)
So if you unplugged your computer the lightning would still find its way, through the air, to your computer?
Re:Ask HN: My house just got hit by lightning and it fried t... by accountofme on Thursday May 05, 2022 @09:54AM (#31273357)
It could if it was still part of the lowest resistance path to ground. Electricity is like water, it wants to flow from high potential difference to low potential difference.

Lightning (as far as I know) does not have consciousness and is not out to get your computer!

The parent post was talking about putting a automatic switch in between the power supply to the house (ground active neutral) and switching it off when lightning struck, the problem there is that the switch will not do much if the lightning air gaps around it.

Re:Ask HN: My house just got hit by lightning and it fried t... by amelius on Thursday May 05, 2022 @12:01PM (#31275063)
Isn't it more likely that the current will go from one terminal of the now unconnected cord to another terminal of the same cord?
Re:Ask HN: My house just got hit by lightning and it fried t... by accountofme on Friday May 06, 2022 @12:05AM (#31281188)
It all depends on the what is the shortest path to ground.

Ground is also a relative term for a lightning strike.

When lightning hits the ground, a potential field emanates from that point. The further out the closer to 0V the potential difference is.

As such it depends on where the strike is in comparison to the house, your wiring, where your house is grounded etc.

For example, if the grounding point on your house is very close to the strike, your house ground will be raised to the voltage of that point away from the stike.

The path to 0V may be through your active wiring, your powesupply, the house frame or the water pipes.

So yeah, hope that helps