A Reddit user has published a clear and rather alarming demonstration of just how vulnerable home electronics can be even with seemingly reliable protection. Their powerful gaming PC suffered serious damage after a lightning strike entered the apartment not through the power grid, but through the internet provider's coaxial cable.

What the photos show

The images reveal that the main impact hit the area of the motherboard's Ethernet port. The connector is badly burned, with signs of melting and soot around it. The router and the section of wall near the networking equipment were also damaged. According to the owner, the incident occurred during a severe thunderstorm, and the power surge spread through the building's shared coaxial infrastructure.

Why this happened

Many users in the comments noted that such incidents are not uncommon. One of them shared their own story: the computer failed even though all equipment was unplugged from power outlets. The only remaining connected cable was the modem's telephone line. That was enough to completely "kill" the system.

Copper conductors — whether coaxial cable, Ethernet, or an old telephone line — conduct electrical impulses very well. When lightning strikes the provider's infrastructure, the discharge can easily enter the apartment and spread further through the home network.

Important takeaways

The incident serves as a good reminder that lightning protection is not limited to unplugging from the power grid. Experts recommend:

  • Using quality surge protectors and surge protective devices (SPDs)
  • Disconnecting not only power but also all external cables (internet, antenna, telephone) when possible
  • Checking the quality of grounding for the coaxial cable entry point into the apartment

The post's author has already contacted their provider to discuss possible grounding issues with the external line.

In brief

A lightning strike via a coaxial internet line severely damaged a Reddit user's gaming computer. The discharge passed through the modem and Ethernet cable, causing burning around the motherboard's network port. The case showed that unplugging equipment from the wall outlet is not enough to protect electronics — copper signal cables can also become conductors for dangerous surges. Users recommend using specialized protection devices and, when possible, fully disconnecting external lines during thunderstorms.