Ugh. While you guys were getting your jollies at my expense I was chatting with a guy from Charter.
Here's what he had to say. I don't think he knew what he was talking about and I gave him some easy answers to questions.
Chat Transcript
You have been connected to Reynaldo.
Reynaldo: Welcome! You reached Charter Communications. This is Rey. How may I assist you today, Karl?
Karl: Hi Rey! I have a question about if our Charter cable wire is grounded. The reason is that we had an electrical storm on Saturday that fried my modem and my router. I narrowed it down to have come from the cable wire because I have the electrical power supplies all connected to a surge suppressor and APC.
Reynaldo: Thank you for alerting us about your Internet connection.
Reynaldo: I would be happy to look into it for you.
Reynaldo: May I have the complete home address of the account, Karl?
Karl: Thanks Rey. **********
Reynaldo: Thank you.
Reynaldo: I am done checking the connection and it appears that Internet service are still active right now. May I know if you already replace your modem?
Karl: Yes, I had a spare modem and router, luckily. LOL
Reynaldo: Thank you. Are you having issues on your Internet connection right now?
Karl: But it was a relatively new modem, an SB6141 by Motorola and I bought it myself. No issues at all with my internet connection. It's been fine. I did go outside to check the ground and it looks like it's connected to our outside faucet but the connection piece is loose.
Karl: I would really like it if Charter could come by and make sure it's grounded effectively.
Reynaldo: Thank you for the information, Karl.
Karl: I'd do it myself but I'm no technician.
Reynaldo: Since your conenction is good and there are no problem, I am sure that the cable wire is not grounded.
Karl: Not grounded?
Reynaldo: Let me check if I can process an appointment for you, to check the connection.
Karl: OK, thank you, Rey.
Reynaldo: You're welcome, Karl.
Reynaldo: I am done checking all the connection and it appears that you are getting a good signal right now. If there are issues on your cable outside your house then Internet service will be interrupted.
Karl: OK
Reynaldo: You don't have to worry about the ground cable that was connected to the faucet, Karl. There are no problem on it even if it is loose.
Reynaldo: Do you have other questions for me today?
Karl: OK, so damage to equipment can occur even if the system is grounded properly?
Reynaldo: Yes. It is the electrical issue that cause damage to equipment . If large volt of electricity runs to the connection, we cannot do anything about it, Karl.
Reynaldo: Don't worry, there are no problem on your connection.
Karl: OK, glad to know that, then.
Reynaldo: Thank you very much.
Reynaldo: Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Karl: No more questions, thanks for the answers!
Reynaldo: You're welcome, Karl.
Reynaldo: It is my pleasure to help a very nice customer today.