Hi Folks, Its my first post here, so, let me introduce myself. I own a fixing computers business and I like to make projects and reviews about stuffs related with that. I have a good experience with electronics and computer hardwares and I would like to share it with you all. English is not my mother language, so, sorry for my pig English. I will do my best to use a grammar spelling before to post something here. But I believe I can be understood in most cases. If not, just let me know or suggest me some better word to correct it. I have no problems with advices. For my first post, I would like to share a device which I created. We have a lot of problems with lightning here and all protection devices just didnt work for me. So, I did one, very simple but really efficient! When there was lightning in my town, I used to turn off my computer but phone line was still there, connected to modem (internal or external). So, sometimes, I got a burned modem just because phone line is there. After a few burned modems, I started to remove phone line from the modem connector and it solved all problems. So, I decided to create a device to make that for me, and here it is: Its a very simple device. Its uses 1 double relay but in all pictures, you will see 2, because I had a lot of spare simple relays. So, you may do this circuit using 1 or 2 relays, just choose what is better for you. Schematic is this: As you may see, circuit has a double relay. Diode is a simple 1N400x, just to kill some voltage return from relay when you turn computer off. How it works: You have to plug it in a free connector from power supply of your computer. When you turn your computer on, it will turn relay on too and close contacts to attach phone line to modem. When you turn computer off it unattaches (is this word?) line from modem. Very simple and efficient. Components list: 1x double relay (or 2x simple relay) 1x 1n400x diode 1x female power connector 1x phone connector with metal support and screws 1x board for electronic circuit (tailor made) You may get almost all of them in any electronic trash can. I got power connector from an old cd-rom drive but you may replace it by a diskette power connector or any other you want. We will use just 12v (yellow and black wires from the power supply). You may change double relay for 2x simple relays. You will find two or more simple relays in dead voltage regulators. They should be 12v in controller side and 110v (or more) in controlled side. Here, you may see dimensions of it: Dont be fooled by the angle in the next picture. Its exactly 2cm! As you see, its 5cm x 5cm x 2cm but rear size is just 4cm. How to install it: Connect it to a power supply: Screw it inside computer case: It will look like this: Connect phone lines. You may insert any phone line in any connector: Known problems: 1 - This protector will work just if you turn your computer off during lightnings, otherwise, its completely useless. 2 - In my prototypes, I used phone connectors from dead modems. It made my life easier, but the distance between wires are not enough to stop a strong lightning. Look the picture: A lightning could "jump" from one contact point to another. It has to be improved in a professional version. 3 - Maybe power supply connector wont reach the protector power connector. In this case, you have to use an extension, similar to this one: I have 3 of them, 1 with ADSL in my business, 1 with ADSL in a friends house and 1 with dial-up line in another friends house. They are working well for about 2 years. I was a bit afraid relays will make a kind of interference in the signal quality but nothing was noted until today, in ADSL and dial-up lines. Thats it. Its a simple project which will save a lot of money in replacing burned modems by lightning. I hope you like it and post your comments. It has a Creative Commons License:
dude how the lightning will burn the modem I can't get it ! we never had lightning Edit : amazing stuff man, I got it now well done. you are a creative man.
I will try to take and post some installation pictures tomorrow. Are people here iced or is this project really bad?
Don't know why there aren't many replies, but I only just saw this post; maybe it's because everyone's been at the Christmas sherry. Nice work, quite a neat solution for home use, I'd have been tempted just to make it quick and dirty
potting would be a solution to the spark jumping problem. put epoxy or hot glue over and between those solder points.
Very good IMO! But unfortunately it really isn't going to help much. Just think about it, a lightning bolt jumps like several kilometres in the air. NOTHING will stop it, not even 5 centimetres of epoxy. So if it wants, it will definitely bypass this.
Yeah, that's true. But once inside the house there are probably better ways to the ground then through the relay, so you might get lucky. Also, doesn't the relay add a lot of noise on the phone line? Anyway, nice project!
I couldnt note any difference in speed, using this device or not. I updated my original post to show installation pictures.
A few people are worried about how to build one. Its very easy. If you dont have skill to deal with electronics, soldering, etc, ask to a friend to help you. Just show him/her the schema and these pictures: He/she will know what to do. Its not important to be beautiful. It has to do the job. Look my first prototype: Note it doesnt have the diode and the metal support. I had to put a sponge in bottom side because this board just lays on bottom of the computer. Its ugly and not practical, but does the job until today! Good luck! Creative Commons License:
Someone asked me about how much would cost a device like that. I did it using old components, from my trash can, so it was $0.00 (maybe more, if you count electricity, solder, knowhow and time). If you need to buy components, I think the more expensive one would be the relay. Remember you have to make a board to it. This can be the worst thing to do if you are not familiar with this. Looking the schema, you may see its very simple, so, *maybe* you can do it without a board, just soldering all components, directly. Of course, its not important to be beautiful, but has to do its job during a lightning!
hehe simple but effective.. sounds like you need to put up some lightning rods- I've rigged together some cool logic using relays/caps/resistors.. you could get a big capacitor and create a delay- but like was mentioned above with lighting spikes, it's an unpredictable amount that would probably blow the cap even if rated for high voltage pretty cool workaround if it works =] I'd get on the phone company myself, put up some lightning rods asap
