Does the ThinkPad battery act as a surge protector?

[Thinker]

I am thinking whether I should get some surge protection for my new ThinkPad.
I have heard before that the battery acts as a buffer between your ThinkPad internals and the electric outlet, protecting against surges. Is there some truth to this statement, or is it just a myth? In other words, if there should be a power spike capable of producing damage to electronic equipment, would it just bust the battery and leave the ThinkPad unscathed?

Thanks,

Ruben

[Leon]

While it is theoretically possible for a surge to pass through the power brick to your laptop, it is unlikely. In my opinion, (as one of the forums resident EEs), a surge suppressor is overkill. Of course, if it makes you feel better, it will not hurt. (N.B. You are MUCH more likely to get a surge that will damage your machine through the phone line connected to a modem).

[AssPenny]

Yes, it does ask as one. But personally, i like overkill. I use a battery backup/surge protector on everything in my house. My TV even has a 500va ups on it.

[Thinker]

While it is theoretically possible for a surge to pass through the power brick to your laptop, it is unlikely. In my opinion, (as one of the forums resident EEs), a surge suppressor is overkill. Of course, if it makes you feel better, it will not hurt. (N.B. You are MUCH more likely to get a surge that will damage your machine through the phone line connected to a modem).

Leon,

Thanks for the facts (being an EE I take it as that, and not merely an opinion). I was aware of the possibility of frying the computer through the modem. I never use a modem though, since I have a cable connection hooked up through a PCMCIA interface. I guess it would be possible to fry the computer through that channel also (correct me if I'm wrong).

Ruben

[Thinker]

Yes, it does ask as one. But personally, i like overkill. I use a battery backup/surge protector on everything in my house. My TV even has a 500va ups on it.

I understand what you mean. I'm rather anal myself. Is your toaster hooked to the UPS also? Just kidding.

[ian]

Our surge-protection units, where I work, provide protection for the modem/network cable too. In addition to a bunch of standard power sockets to plug the units into, there are also a pair of RJ11 and RJ45 sockets... of course, this does nothing to protect from either the ceiling falling in or pouring coke over the keyboard - we're working on those...

[AssPenny]

Yes, it does ask as one. But personally, i like overkill. I use a battery backup/surge protector on everything in my house. My TV even has a 500va ups on it.

I understand what you mean. I'm rather anal myself. Is your toaster hooked to the UPS also? Just kidding.

Thats cool, and [censored], i forgot to put one on my toaster!! I used to live in Nebraska where electrical storms are a weekly thing in the summer and now i live in Reno, and the power here is so dirty (up and down). So im in the habbit of anything sensitive to power surges, tvs, dvds, stereos, pc, etc... to put a battery backup on. I found that power strips dont work worth a crap so i only use a ups.

[Leon]

While it is theoretically possible for a surge to pass through the power brick to your laptop, it is unlikely. In my opinion, (as one of the forums resident EEs), a surge suppressor is overkill. Of course, if it makes you feel better, it will not hurt. (N.B. You are MUCH more likely to get a surge that will damage your machine through the phone line connected to a modem).

Leon,

Thanks for the facts (being an EE I take it as that, and not merely an opinion). I was aware of the possibility of frying the computer through the modem. I never use a modem though, since I have a cable connection hooked up through a PCMCIA interface. I guess it would be possible to fry the computer through that channel also (correct me if I'm wrong).

Ruben

It is again, most likely, if what you described happened, that you would fry the PCMCIA interface, and not your computer. This scenario is possible, but again, not likely. I choose to work without surge suppressors of any kink for my laptop (over many years). YMMV.

[Thinker]

Our surge-protection units, where I work, provide protection for the modem/network cable too. In addition to a bunch of standard power sockets to plug the units into, there are also a pair of RJ11 and RJ45 sockets... of course, this does nothing to protect from either the ceiling falling in or pouring coke over the keyboard - we're working on those...

Ian,

That's great. Please let me know when you release them. I have the feeling they will sell like cupcakes

[Thinker]

It is again, most likely, if what you described happened, that you would fry the PCMCIA interface, and not your computer. This scenario is possible, but again, not likely. I choose to work without surge suppressors of any kink for my laptop (over many years). YMMV.

Leon,

It's good to know that. I have actually been working on a laptop without surge protection for almost 4 years now, with an uptime of about 8 hours a day. But it was a mere Toshiba. Now that I have a ThinkPad I have to baby it...
By the way, I wonder if it would be possible to fry the wireless on a TP by emitting an EM pulse with some specific characteristics. Then again, I am sure you can create an EM pulse to fry any electronic equipment regardless of antena. That's it, I better start building a Faraday Cage big enough to contain me and my ThinkPad

[daeojkim]

I think surge protectors for household electronics is just overkill. An attempt by companies to use fear to sell more products.

[texasdiver]

I tend to agree. I've been through a lot of electrical storms and power outages in the past 40 years and have never had anything blow out due to a power surge. I get them all the time here in rural Texas.

That said, if I was building a new house and had some extra cash, I would probably have a large surge protector and USB installed for the main curcuit entering my house so that every single outlet and fixture in the house is both surge protected and under the USB. There are surge protectors and USBs designed for full-house protection but they cost several grand. I'm getting sick of resetting 10 digital clocks throughout the house what with the alarm clocks, VCRs, microwaves etc.

[Leon]

I think I might get a large UPS in my next house, but a large USB would be a true luxury!

[texasdiver]

yeah right...brain fart

I mean UPS of course!

[ian]

Our surge-protection units, where I work, provide protection for the modem/network cable too. In addition to a bunch of standard power sockets to plug the units into, there are also a pair of RJ11 and RJ45 sockets... of course, this does nothing to protect from either the ceiling falling in or pouring coke over the keyboard - we're working on those...

Ian,

That's great. Please let me know when you release them. I have the feeling they will sell like cupcakes

I think the most realistic cure to spilling things over a laptop keyboard is to prevent posts detailing the woes of people who've done just that - there you are, sitting happily reading about some prize plonker pouring coke on the Ultranav, and you reach over to scroll down and WHAM the coffee cup loses it's balance (all on it's own of course) and the stuff goes e v e r y w h e r e...

[leesiulung]

I got my APC surge protector for like $3 at Fry's and personally don't think spending $3 is a lot for added protection and hey it might protect your power brick which cost $30. In addition it gives you extra outlets for other equipment. But NO I don't bring it with me when traveling.

Now a UPS for a laptop that can run on batteries "might" just be overkill

[Leon]

ok, for $3 we'll give you a hall pass