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So essentially as the title says, I have read a couple super user ‘articles’ regarding the use of surge protectors with outdoor Ethernet, my question is would a lightning strike be a risk for about 2-3m of Ethernet outside? The cable would be low down to the ground, for some of the run it would be sitting on grass and for the other part it would be on tarmac.

This is the type of cable I’d be using: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00I4RA7HM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_H1ZYAbXHBY75N - they also have a foil twisted paid version? Not sure wether to use that or not. I should also be noted that I live in the UK, more specifically nearish Wallsend.

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    "I have read a couple super user ‘articles’ regarding the use of surge protectors with outdoor Ethernet" which ones? Why do you need Ethernet outdoor? – Máté Juhász Apr 9 '18 at 10:20
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    There is always a small risk, just as there is of your house being struck. Have you installed a lightning conductor on your chimney? I would think there is probably a much greater risk of tripping over the cable. – AFH Apr 9 '18 at 11:44
  • @MátéJuhász I am opting for Ethernet outdoors rather than indoors because outside makes much more sense for me, inside would require me to get the cable from the living room(ground floor) up to the loft (ground, first, loft), I was originally all for it however, I looked into it yesterday and it seems I would have to do a lot of drilling through wood in tight spaces and a lot of drywall would have to be cut, outside would require a low amount of drilling and it gives me more options. – Stamp Apr 9 '18 at 11:50
  • @AFH, just had a look outside, it appears that we have no chimney - which makes sense actually since we had to have an electric fire, guess I didn’t really think about it till now, it is a new build however, does that help? Maybe some sort of building regulation would state that a lightning conductor is required, unless there is a way to check for one? EDIT: just had a quick look online at it appears that most residential homes don’t have lightning conductors, surely if lightning was to strike it would go for something higher than the Ethernet cable on the ground? – Stamp Apr 9 '18 at 11:56
  • The point of my comment was that hardly anyone in UK installs lightning conductors on residential properties, though the damage caused by a strike to the house would be a lot worse than any likely damage from a strike to your cable. On the other hand, Ethernet protectors are pretty cheap, and they are sometimes built into mains socket blocks, along with power and 'phone line protection. – AFH Apr 9 '18 at 12:15
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Although i feel it's complete paranoia...

It is recommended, and in some places required to have either shielded, or foiled twisted pair for outside runs. (S/FTP or U/FTP Cabling) Additionally the drain wire on this type of cable should be grounded. Common Sense as AFH commented, would be to have a lightning rod attached to the house giving a path of least resistance.

As you know from my other answer, you will want outdoor UV rated cabling if its exposed to any sunlight.

Regards!

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