Surge Arresters
Electrical Systems protection from Transient Surges
Surge arresters, also known as lightning arresters or surge protectors, protect against transient voltage surges. These surges, typically caused by lightning strikes, switching operations, or other sudden changes in the electrical system, can cause significant damage. Surges cause damage to power lines, communication lines, and data networks, motors, and transformers. Surge arresters play a vital role in diverting surges away from sensitive equipment, safeguarding them from damage, and preventing costly downtime.
Arrestors operate on the principle of voltage clamping. When a transient surge occurs, the surge arrester offers a low-resistance path to the ground, effectively diverting the excess voltage away from the protected equipment. This is achieved through a combination of metal oxide varistors (MOVs) or spark gaps, which rapidly conduct the surge current and then automatically return to their high-resistance state once the surge is over.
Types of Surge Arresters: Surge arresters come in various types, each tailored to specific applications and voltage levels:
Station Class Arresters: Designed for high-voltage power transmission and distribution systems, station class surge arresters provide protection to transformers, switchgear, and other vital substation equipment.
Distribution Class Arresters: These arresters are used in medium-voltage distribution networks to protect distribution transformers, pole-mounted equipment, and feeder lines.
Intermediate Class Arresters: Intermediate class arresters bridge the gap between station class and distribution class arresters, catering to medium voltage applications in industrial and commercial settings.
Secondary Arresters: Used for low-voltage applications, secondary surge arresters protect sensitive electronic devices and equipment at the consumer level.
