Unplugging Cassie

[Billy]

I have a Solitaire Plus. Don't use it every day, maybe once a week or so. It is better to unplug it, after turning it off, until the next time that I use it? Just wondering. Thanks

[RonaldPawlak]

The only time I unplug my unit is when there is a sever weather forcast or a lighting storm. I unplug everything concerning my computer and video equipment. I won't even edit when there is a lightning storm.
One time I was editing and there was a lighting bolt near by, I lost the whole program I was editing.
There are those power strips that you can buy that will trip out whne there is a surge current. But I feel more safe just unplugging. During normal weather I leave everything plugged in and turn off the unit.

[KeithWiggers]

I always unplug and/or turn the switch off the battery backup unit that the machine is plugged into. I do that even if I think I am going to get right back on it the next morning. I don't believe there is any harm, and the statistics, if correct, for "wasted" electicity for all of our electronics sitting in "idle" are astounding. Billions of dollars a year in the U.S. alone! Doesn't save any one of us much, but collectively...

Keith

[videojim]

I use a UPS for my system, so when these transformers check out with their spectacular light shows, I don't lose anything. A UPS is something I mentioned in hear many thousands of posts ago, as a way to CYA. KnowhatImean? I haven't unplugged for a lightning storm, but I make sure I'm not editing during one. BTW, how often can you save your work when you are editing? Is it only when you shut down?

[TimKennelly]

A UPS does not guarantee damage from a lightning storm regardless of whether you are editing or it's turned off.

A direct hit or real near miss is very unlikely, but if it happens, even with a properly grounded house you can fry any and all electrical devices plugged into your electrical system.

Such a massive overload is likely to overcome even as solid a defense as a UPS with AVR circuitry.

I have a system installed outside my home before it enters the home's internal circuit box as well GFCI outlets, surge protector bars and the aforementioned UPS with AVR circuitry units supplying power to all my most critical electronics (MS equipment, PCs, DVRs, audio and video equipment, chargers to cellphones, etc, but that still doesn't protect from a direct lightning punch through the ceiling which happened to a neighbor down the road several years ago.

I have set up so several key segments are supplied by very heavy duty power cords with multiple outlets that I have the surge protector bars running into and from there to the UPS units.

Normally, I ignore thunder and lightning storms, but if they get really bad where they are bouncing the power on and off I can pull these main cords and disconnect most of my most sensitive electronics.

That said, that still leaves other paths into such equipment these days in the form of cable, ethernet, etc.

Although I don't practice this myself, there is nothing wrong to my knowledge regarding disconnecting the power cord to our units once they are properly powered down.

PS - As far as forcing saves, with our equipment it's a bit of a mystery. You can force a type of save by going to the Record menu and back or switching Projects, but neither of these or even powering off forces a full "save" as you can have a catastrophic crash where the system "Restores from an earlier archive" that might have been days ago.

[HansJoachimKoenig]

These days editing a HD project I suddenly had a crash and after that the S-4000Pro system powered up by itself again
showing the note that it had "Restored from an earlier version".
Some effects got lost and had to be redone.
After finishing editing I power down and always disconnect from mains all editing equipment via a main switch.