[G4] Fast Internet via Outlet

[Al Poulin]

Hello Anne:

By "can't route their modem...," are you talking about the data line 
(ethernet) or the electrical power for the modem, or both?

I have a conventional cable modem that is on a surge protector for its 
power and the cable itself goes through the same surge protector.  An 
ethernet line then goes from the cable modem to a router.  For computer 
connections in the same room, ethernet cables go direct from the router 
to the computer(s).  But for the long ethernet line to the other end of 
the house and a different floor, I go through the data ports on my UPS 
that happens to be close by.  At the other end, that ethernet line goes 
through another UPS.

Closer to your real concern, I once had an electrical failure which hit 
the entire neighborhood.  This was before setting up my LAN.  The 
computer was not running, the UPS was awake, but it died with that 
little explosive poof and bad odor that comes from equipment meeting 
death.  No problem ever with the computer.  So the UPS sacrificed 
itself on duty.  The power company reimbursed me for the new UPS.

I would expect your power company to say that will pay you for any loss 
of equipment.  Does it say that?

Al Poulin
Anger, hate, and revenge are for the devil, forgiveness is for God, 
proactive self-defense is for the rest of us.

On Mar 28, 2005, at 1:26 PM, Anne Keller-Smith wrote:

> Hi,
>
> My electric company, PPL, offers high-speed internet access through my 
> electrical outlets. In the directions for installation, it says I 
> can't route their modem through my UPS or surge suppressor. Yikes! But 
> maybe it's not a problem, and wouldn't any form of fast internet, be 
> it delivered by cable modem, DSL or other method expose one's computer 
> to electrical surges or lightening strikes?
>
> PPL says a strike would burn out their modem and leave the computer 
> unscathed, but I don't know if I buy it. What do you all think? What 
> do you all have?