Yes, a high voltage surge can travel through an Ethernet port and reach the PC.
Yes, a high voltage surge can travel through an Ethernet port and reach the PC.
It mainly comes down to voltage levels, the type of Ethernet cable used, and the quality of the equipment. Cheaper models are more sensitive to small changes in voltage or current, while premium products often include safety features to block such issues. Also, consider the power requirements and the copper thickness in the Ethernet cable. A strong lightning strike can damage even small cables, but such events are extremely rare. Most homes have devices that are properly grounded and shielded against high-voltage surges, similar to how phone lines are protected. However, if a surge originates from your router or switch, it could still cause problems. We've noticed some older fiber ONTs getting damaged when customers connect them directly to household power without surge protection. In general, the gateway (router/switch) connected to the ONT usually survives, though its ports can still be affected.