Summer thunderstorms in Ukraine have become not only more frequent but also more powerful. With every lightning strike in the sky, more people recall an old, yet controversial piece of advice: disconnect household appliances from the network. Many consider this a relic of the past or excessive caution. However, the well-known Kyiv physics teacher and blogger Ruslan Tsygankov asserts: this rule is based not on superstitions, but on strict laws of physics.
In his Instagram video, the specialist explained in detail how a thunderstorm can turn a home socket into a deadly trap for expensive electronics. It turns out that the threat comes not only from a direct strike but also from invisible fields.
Two Scenarios for Destroying Electronics
Tsygankov identified two mechanisms by which lightning can disable a TV, computer, or refrigerator. The first is the most obvious, but no less dangerous for that. This is a direct strike of a discharge into a power line near the house.
In such a situation, millions of volts, according to Ohm's law, instantly travel along the wires and rush into the sockets. "Household appliances are designed for 220 volts — and when an impulse of tens of thousands of volts enters, the boards inside the devices literally explode," the expert explained.
The second scenario is less noticeable but occurs just as often. This refers to electromagnetic induction. Lightning is a super-powerful current that creates a colossal electromagnetic field around itself. Even if the strike hits a tree a hundred meters from the house, this field changes rapidly. As a result, a strong current arises in all neighboring metal wires, including home wiring and internet cables. Essentially, your cables begin to act as antennas, picking up overvoltage.
Where It Is Safe to Live and Where You Need to Unplug
Is it necessary to panic and cut off power to the apartment at every rumble of thunder? According to Tsygankov, it all depends on the type of housing and infrastructure.
In a modern city apartment, where cables are laid underground and the building is equipped with a lightning rod, the risk is significantly lower. Under such conditions, it is not necessary to disconnect everything. It is enough to use a high-quality surge protector — an extension cord with overvoltage protection. It is capable of saving complex and expensive devices from voltage spikes.
Another matter is the private sector or old houses with overhead power lines. If there is no reliable protection in the electrical panel, the advice to disconnect appliances from sockets during a severe thunderstorm is not just a recommendation, but a necessity to preserve property.
