Ethernet Lightning Surge Protector

An Ethernet Lightning Surge Protector, when connected inline between networking devices whose cables maybe exposed to lightning or thunderstorms, is useful to protect the network ports of these devices from getting damaged due to transient currents produced by nearby lightning strikes.

They also protect against over-voltages, PoE surges, etc.

If you are in a thunderstorm/lightning prone area, and you have the Ethernet cables coming from outside, you are better off with an Ethernet Lighting Surge Protector.

If you don’t have this device, the transient currents traveling from outside/or inside might damage not only the device that is directly connected to it, but also other devices connected in the same network.

Connection Topology: Inline.

Eg. Modem (ISP) —> RJ45 Cat 5/6 Cable —> Ethernet Lightning Surge Protector —> RJ45 Cat 5/6 Cable —> WiFi Router/Switch (Internal Network)

Typical Use Cases

  • In-between PoE Injector/Switch & IP Cameras/Wireless Access Points/Wireless Extenders
  • In-between Internet/Cable Modem & Router
  • In-between Fiber Media Converter & Router
  • On both ends of an ethernet cable running outdoors
  • End of an Ethernet cable that runs from outside the premises to inside, esp. in areas that are prone to lightning and thunderstorms.
Ethernet Lightning Surge Protector

Where to buy Ethernet Lightning Surge Protector?

If you are in the Continental US, you could buy the indoor model directly from the manufacturer (click) or you can buy it on Amazon. You could also buy the outdoor model with weather protection and housing from the manufacturer (click) or from Amazon.

Advantages

  1. Ethernet Surge Suppressors use technologies like Gas Discharge Tubes or diode-based protection mechanisms (that are grounded) to dissipate the excessive voltage from the incoming power and dissipates it to the ground.
  2. They protect valuable components of a network like modem, switch, router, repeater, computer, server, and other network-connected components.
  3. Both outdoor (weather resistant) and indoor surge protection models are available, based on use-cases.
  4. Some models comply with the fast gigabit internet standard thereby maintaining the communication speeds.
  5. Some models support PoE and PoE+ Power over Ethernet standards, hence they don’t impede the power going along with data from PoE switches to IP Cameras, Access Points, etc.
  6. These can be used with both UTP and STP cables.
  7. Surge suppressors are generally plug-and-play. Not much expertise is required for installation.
  8. These devices don’t require power to function.
  9. Both indoor and outdoor (with weather protection) models are available.
  10. Ethernet lightning surge protectors don’t just save the networking equipment/ports from getting fired, but also the time required to purchase and re-setup the network.
  11. To ground it, you can also attach the ground wire to the ground terminal of a power outlet, if one is nearby.

Limitations

  1. Since surge protectors are connected in-line with other networking equipment, although they support gigabit speeds, there might be a small drop in speeds, depending on usage.
  2. Proper grounding is important for network surge protectors to work. The grounding should be through the shortest route possible – it should at least be shorter than the cable going to the network equipment it is protecting.
  3. It is required to protect both device-to-device connections, and device-to-ground connections as surges can happen from any side. Some models do offer modes that enable you to switch.
  4. Ethernet Lightning Surge Protectors don’t offer permanent protection – they can take maybe 15 or 20 surges before which they could be damaged themselves and stop working.
  5. Surge protection is possible only on the opposite side of the surge protector where the surges occur. You could have one on either side if you want to protect devices on both sides.
  6. These devices don’t protect against thunder.
  7. Cordless phones and coaxial cables are not protected by this type of device. Only RJ-45 connected devices are.
  8. This protects devices from transient voltages on the data lines, not on the power lines.

Where to buy Ethernet Lightning Surge Protector?

If you are in the Continental US, you could buy the indoor model directly from the manufacturer (click) or you can buy it on Amazon. You could also buy the outdoor model with weather protection and housing from the manufacturer (click) or from Amazon.