[ale] Should I ground a ethernet switch?

[Michael Potter]

Just bought this switch from Fry's because my old switch was zapped by a
lightning strike.
http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-ProSafe-5-Port-Ethernet-Desktop/dp/B00002EQCW

It has a grounding tab.

I cannot find any recommendations on the Internet on the benefit of
grounding the switch.  One reviewer on Amazon said it was for electrical
noise isolation.  I don't care about noise isolation, however, I do care
about avoiding more damaged equipment.

So, my questions are:
1) Is there a benefit to grounding the switch in regards to avoid "getting
zapped" again.
2) What is the easiest way to ground it?  Can I just salvage a three prong
plug and use the ground wire while safely terminating the live wires?

The strike also took out my router, cable modem, receiver, and ethernet
port on my printer.  I am also having comcast out to replace their
lightning arrestor.

I am also putting a surge suppressor (
http://www.amazon.com/Monster-MP-AV-800-PowerCenter/dp/B00003CWDH/) on the
coax connection to the cable tv box, and
 a surge suppressor (
http://www.amazon.com/APC-PNET1GB-ProtectNet-Standalone-Protector/dp/B000BKUSS8/)
on ethernet cable between the cable modem and the router.


-- 
Michael Potter
  Tapp Solutions, LLC
  Replatform Technologies, LLC
+1 770 815 6142  ** Atlanta ** michael at potter.name  **
www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpotter
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