Created by: Glen Zhu | Updated Date: March 13th, 2025
Surge arrester is an electrical device designed to protect electrical equipment from the effects of transient overvoltage or “surges”, which may occur due to lightning strikes, switch operations, or power network faults.
Although these surges are short in duration, they can have a significant impact on sensitive electrical systems, potentially causing equipment damage or failure.
The working principle of Surge arresters is to guide excess voltage in surges to the ground, thereby protecting the protected equipment, avoiding voltage spikes from entering the equipment and causing damage.
It can effectively prevent electrical equipment such as transformers, distribution panels, household appliances, and other electronic components from being harmed by transient overvoltages.
Surge arresters are typically composed of nonlinear resistor elements (such as metal oxide varistors (MOV) or gas discharge tubes (GDT)). These materials have the characteristic of rapidly changing their resistance when voltage increases.
Under normal operating conditions, the resistance value of Surge arresters is very high and does not affect the power system.
However, when a surge occurs, the resistance of the protector will sharply decrease, allowing surge current to flow into the ground through the protector, thereby preventing surge voltage from entering equipment.
4. Types of Surge arresters:
The main function of Surge arresters is to prevent damage to the power system caused by overvoltage due to external events (such as lightning), internal system faults, or switch events. They are widely used in power distribution networks, industrial machinery, communication systems, and residential electrical facilities.
By clamping voltage, absorbing energy, and guiding harmful surges, Surge arresters enhance the reliability and safety of electrical systems, prevent expensive damage to equipment, and extend the life of equipment. They are an indispensable component in any electrical protection system.
Surge arrester is a key component in electrical systems, which can effectively protect equipment from surges and transient overvoltages, avoiding serious damage or system failure. The following is the importance of Surge arresters in modern power infrastructure:
Surge arresters are designed to protect sensitive electrical equipment from the effects of transient overvoltages caused by lightning strikes, switch operations, or other external interference.
Without Surge arresters, electrical equipment such as transformers, motors, and circuit breakers may be severely damaged by voltage spikes.
Surge arresters divert excess voltage to the ground, preventing it from entering critical components and thus protecting the normal function and extending the lifespan of the equipment.
Electrical systems, especially large-scale power distribution networks, are susceptible to surges and transient overvoltages, which can disrupt the operation of the entire system.
Surges may cause temporary or permanent damage to critical system components, leading to cascading failures in the power network.
Surge arresters clamp down on surges before they occur, preventing them from spreading throughout the system and ensuring stable operation of the electrical network.
By installing Surge arresters at various nodes in the power system, operators can improve reliability and minimize the risk of unexpected shutdowns or failures.
Voltage surges not only threaten equipment, but may also pose significant safety hazards. Excessive voltage can lead to electrical fires, short circuits, and even electric shock accidents.
Surge arresters safely redirect harmful energy to the ground, reducing these risks and ensuring the overall safety of electrical facilities.
Surge arresters help prevent expensive electrical equipment from being damaged, which in the long run helps save costs. Without Surge arresters, the cost of repairing or replacing damaged equipment could be very high.
Installing Surge arresters can significantly reduce the risk of such damage, thereby reducing subsequent repair and replacement costs.
When electrical equipment is exposed to frequent voltage surges, even small surges can gradually damage the equipment over time.
Surge arresters can prevent these surges, protecting the equipment from harm and extending the lifespan of electrical equipment.
By reducing wear and tear on the equipment, Surge arresters can ensure that the devices operate normally for a long period of time, maximizing return on investment and reducing the need for premature replacement.
In many areas, electrical facilities must comply with specific safety standards and regulations. Surge arresters help ensure that electrical systems meet these standards by providing reliable overvoltage protection to protect equipment and personnel safety.
Installing Surge arresters not only ensures the safety of the system, but also ensures that electrical facilities comply with legal and regulatory requirements, which is crucial for insurance claims and avoiding penalties.
In renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaic (solar) and wind power generation systems, Surge arresters play an equally important role.
These systems typically involve sensitive electronic components and interconnected equipment that are very susceptible to surges. Surge arresters can safeguard these systems from damage caused by lightning strikes or electrical faults, ensuring the continuous production of energy and extending the lifespan of renewable energy equipment.
Surge arresters can be installed in various places such as power distribution systems, communication equipment, industrial equipment, household appliances, power substations, renewable energy systems, etc. They are typically installed at the power source entrance, equipment front end or important components to effectively protect the system.
Surge arresters and lightning arresters are both used to prevent damage to equipment caused by high voltage, but their working principles and application scenarios are different. Lightning arresters are mainly used to protect against powerful transient voltages caused by lightning strikes, while Surge arresters are more widely used to protect against overvoltages caused by various voltage surges (such as switch operations, power failures, etc.).
The performance standards of Surge arresters are typically evaluated based on their maximum voltage withstand capability, maximum current capacity, and response time. Surge arresters need to meet international standards (such as IEC, UL certification, etc.) to ensure their effectiveness and reliability.
When selecting a Surge arrester, factors such as the equipment’s voltage level, power capacity, surge current capability, and operating environment need to be considered. It is necessary to choose the appropriate Surge arrester model and specifications based on specific electrical system requirements in order to provide optimal protection.
Surge arresters usually do not require frequent maintenance, but they should be periodically checked for their operational status to ensure proper functioning. If the protector has experienced a significant surge current, it may need to be replaced to continue effectively protecting equipment.
LSP’s reliable surge protection devices (SPDs) are designed to meet the protection needs of installations against lightning and surges. Contact our Experts!
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