Top 10 Surge Arrester Brand & Manufacturers

What is a Surge Arrester?

A surge arrester, also known as a lightning arrester or surge protector, is an electrical device used to protect electrical equipment from voltage surges. These surges can be caused by various factors such as lightning strikes, switching operations in the power system, or electromagnetic interference. The surge arrester diverts the excessive energy of the surge to the ground, preventing it from damaging the connected equipment.

History of Surge Arrester

• Early Developments: The concept of protecting electrical systems from over - voltages dates back to the early days of electricity. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as power - distribution systems began to expand, the need to safeguard equipment from lightning - induced surges became evident. Early surge arresters were relatively simple devices, often using spark gaps to provide a path for the surge current to the ground. However, these early designs had limitations in terms of their response time and ability to handle multiple surges.
• Technological Advancements: With the growth of the electrical industry and the increasing complexity of power systems, more advanced surge - arrester technologies were developed. The introduction of metal - oxide varistors (MOVs) in the mid - 20th century was a significant milestone. MOVs offered better non - linear voltage - current characteristics, which allowed for more effective clamping of over - voltages. Additionally, the development of gapped silicon - carbide arresters and later zinc - oxide - based arresters further improved the performance and reliability of surge protection.
• Modern Developments: In modern times, surge arresters have become more sophisticated. They are now designed with enhanced energy - handling capabilities and faster response times. Many modern arresters are equipped with monitoring and diagnostic features that can provide information about the number and magnitude of surges they have endured. There is also a growing emphasis on the integration of surge arresters into comprehensive power - quality and protection systems, as well as their compatibility with other power - system components such as smart grid technologies.

Purpose of Surge Arrester

• Protection Against Lightning Surges: One of the primary purposes of a surge arrester is to protect electrical equipment from the high - energy surges caused by lightning strikes. When lightning strikes a power line or a nearby structure, it can induce a voltage spike that travels through the electrical system. The surge arrester provides a low - impedance path to the ground for this surge energy, thereby preventing it from reaching and damaging the connected equipment such as transformers, motors, and electronic devices.
• Switching Surge Protection: Surge arresters also protect against surges that occur during switching operations in the power system. When a circuit breaker is opened or closed, or a transformer is energized or de - energized, transient over - voltages can be generated. These switching surges can be harmful to sensitive electronic equipment and the insulation of electrical components. The surge arrester absorbs or diverts these surges, ensuring the safety and reliability of the power - distribution and utilization equipment.
• Enhanced Equipment Lifespan: By protecting electrical equipment from voltage surges, surge arresters help to extend the lifespan of the equipment. Voltage surges can cause insulation breakdown, component damage, and premature failure of electrical and electronic devices. The use of surge arresters reduces the frequency and severity of such damage, resulting in lower maintenance costs and longer - lasting equipment.
• System Stability and Continuity: Surge arresters contribute to the overall stability and continuity of the power - distribution system. By preventing surges from causing widespread equipment failures, they help to maintain the integrity of the power grid and reduce the likelihood of power outages. This is especially important in critical applications such as power plants, data centers, and hospitals.

Principle of Surge Arrester

• Non - linear Resistance and Voltage - Current Characteristics: Most modern surge arresters, such as those using metal - oxide varistors (MOVs), operate based on non - linear resistance. Under normal operating conditions, the arrester presents a high resistance to the flow of current. However, when a voltage surge occurs and the voltage across the arrester exceeds a certain threshold (known as the clamping voltage), the resistance of the arrester decreases rapidly. This allows a large amount of the surge current to flow through the arrester and to the ground, thereby clamping the voltage across the protected equipment to a safe level.[!--empirenews.page--]
• Energy Absorption and Dissipation: Surge arresters are designed to absorb and dissipate the energy of the voltage surge. The energy - handling capacity of the arrester is an important parameter. When a surge occurs, the arrester absorbs the energy through various mechanisms such as the conversion of electrical energy to heat in the case of MOVs. The arrester must be able to handle the energy of the surge without being damaged itself, so that it can continue to provide protection during subsequent surges.
• Connection to Ground: A crucial aspect of the surge - arrester operation is its connection to the ground. The arrester is typically connected between the power line (or the equipment to be protected) and the ground. When a surge occurs, the arrester diverts the surge current to the ground through a low - impedance path. The quality of the ground connection is vital for the effective operation of the surge arrester. A poor ground connection can lead to ineffective protection and even damage to the arrester and the protected equipment.

Features of Surge Arrester

• High - Energy - Handling Capacity: Surge arresters are designed to handle high - energy surges, especially those caused by lightning strikes. They have a specified energy - handling rating, usually measured in joules, which indicates the amount of energy they can absorb and dissipate without being damaged. High - energy - handling capacity is crucial for protecting equipment in areas with a high incidence of lightning or in power - distribution systems with a high level of switching activities.
• Fast Response Time: Surge arresters have a very fast response time to voltage surges. They can detect and start diverting the surge current within a few nanoseconds to microseconds. This rapid response is essential for effectively protecting sensitive electronic equipment, as the damage from a voltage surge can occur in a very short time.
• Wide Voltage - Protection Range: They can protect against a wide range of over - voltages, from relatively low - level switching surges to extremely high - voltage lightning - induced surges. The clamping voltage of the arrester is designed to be within a range that ensures the protection of the connected equipment while also allowing normal operating voltages to pass through without interference.
• Low - Leakage Current: Under normal operating conditions, surge arresters have a low - leakage current. This means that only a small amount of current flows through the arrester, minimizing power losses and ensuring that the arrester does not affect the normal operation of the electrical system.
• Monitoring and Diagnostic Capabilities: Many modern surge arresters come with built - in monitoring and diagnostic features. These can include indicators that show the status of the arrester (such as whether it has been damaged or has reached the end of its useful life), and the ability to record the number and magnitude of surges it has experienced. This information can be useful for maintenance and replacement planning.

Types of Surge Arrester

• Metal - Oxide Varistor (MOV) Surge Arrester: This is the most common type of surge arrester. MOVs are made of a ceramic material with a non - linear resistance characteristic. They are cost - effective and offer good energy - handling capabilities and fast response times. MOV - based arresters are widely used in power - distribution systems, industrial applications, and for the protection of electronic equipment such as computers and telecommunications equipment.
• Silicon - Carbide Surge Arrester: Silicon - carbide arresters have a long history and were widely used before the development of MOVs. They operate using a gapped structure and have a different voltage - current characteristic compared to MOVs. Although they are less commonly used today due to the advantages of MOVs, they are still found in some specific applications where their particular characteristics, such as high - energy - handling capacity for very high - voltage surges, are required.
• Zinc - Oxide Surge Arrester: Zinc - oxide - based arresters are similar to MOVs in terms of their non - linear resistance behavior. They offer excellent protection against both lightning and switching surges and are known for their high - reliability and long - service - life characteristics. These arresters are often used in high - voltage power - transmission and - distribution systems.
• Gas - Discharge Tube (GDT) Surge Arrester: GDTs operate based on the principle of gas discharge. When the voltage across the GDT exceeds a certain breakdown voltage, the gas inside the tube ionizes and provides a conductive path for the surge current. GDTs have a very high - energy - handling capacity and are often used in combination with other types of arresters in applications where a high level of protection against lightning surges is required.[!--empirenews.page--]

Precautions for using Surge Arrester

• Proper Installation: Surge arresters should be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and relevant electrical codes. The installation location is crucial, and they should be placed as close as possible to the equipment they are protecting. The connection to the ground must be of high quality, with a low - impedance path to ensure effective diversion of the surge current. Incorrect installation can lead to ineffective protection and even damage to the equipment.
• Grounding System Integrity: As mentioned earlier, the grounding system is a critical part of the surge - arrester operation. Regularly check the integrity of the ground connection, including the resistance of the ground electrode. A damaged or high - resistance ground connection can render the surge arrester ineffective. In areas with poor soil conductivity, additional grounding measures such as grounding rods or chemical - treatment of the soil may be necessary.
• Over - Voltage Protection Coordination: When using multiple surge arresters or in a system with other over - voltage protection devices such as circuit breakers and fuses, proper coordination is essential. The settings and characteristics of the different protection devices should be coordinated to ensure that they work together effectively to protect the equipment. For example, the surge arrester should operate before the circuit breaker trips due to an over - voltage.
• Regular Inspection and Maintenance: Conduct regular inspections of the surge arresters. Check for signs of damage such as cracks, discoloration, or bulging (in the case of MOV - based arresters). Also, monitor the status indicators (if available) to determine if the arrester has been subjected to a large number of surges or is nearing the end of its useful life. Replace damaged or worn - out arresters promptly.
• Surge - Arrester Rating and Equipment Compatibility: Ensure that the surge - arrester rating (such as the energy - handling capacity and the clamping voltage) is appropriate for the equipment it is protecting. Using an arrester with an incorrect rating can either provide insufficient protection or lead to false tripping and disruption of the normal operation of the equipment.

Things to consider when purchasing Surge Arrester

• Energy - Handling Capacity: Determine the energy - handling capacity required based on the environment and the type of equipment to be protected. For example, equipment in areas with a high frequency of lightning strikes or in a power - system with significant switching activities will need a surge arrester with a higher energy - handling capacity.
• Response Time: Consider the response time of the surge arrester. For protecting sensitive electronic equipment, a fast - response - time arrester is essential. Compare the response times of different models and choose one that can quickly divert the surge current to prevent damage to the equipment.
• Voltage - Protection Range: Ensure that the surge arrester can cover the expected range of over - voltages in your application. The clamping voltage and the maximum continuous operating voltage of the arrester should be suitable for the normal and abnormal voltage levels in your power system.
• Monitoring and Diagnostic Features: If possible, choose a surge arrester with built - in monitoring and diagnostic features. These features can provide valuable information about the arrester's status and the surges it has encountered, helping with maintenance and replacement planning.
• Type of Surge Arrester: Select the most suitable type of surge arrester based on your specific requirements. Consider factors such as cost, energy - handling capacity, response time, and the application environment. For example, MOV - based arresters are a good choice for general - purpose protection, while GDTs may be more suitable for applications that require high - energy - handling capacity for lightning - induced surges.
• Cost: Establish a budget for the surge - arrester purchase. The cost can vary depending on the type, energy - handling capacity, and features of the arrester. Consider not only the initial purchase price but also the long - term costs, such as maintenance and potential replacement costs. A more expensive, high - quality arrester may be a more cost - effective choice in the long run if it offers better performance and reliability.
• Brand and Reputation: Choose a reputable brand with a good track - record in manufacturing surge arresters. Read customer reviews and ask for recommendations from other electrical professionals to assess the quality, reliability, and performance of different models. A well - known brand is more likely to provide reliable customer service and replacement parts.[!--empirenews.page--]

Terms of Surge Arrester

• Clamping Voltage: The maximum voltage across the protected equipment when a surge arrester is operating. It is the voltage at which the arrester starts to conduct a significant amount of current to the ground, thereby clamping the voltage and protecting the equipment. The clamping voltage is an important parameter for determining the effectiveness of the surge - arrester protection.
• Energy - Handling Capacity: The maximum amount of energy, usually measured in joules, that a surge arrester can absorb and dissipate without being damaged. It is a key specification for assessing the arrester's ability to handle voltage surges, especially those caused by lightning strikes.
• Response Time: The time it takes for the surge arrester to start conducting a significant amount of current after a voltage surge is detected. A short response time is desirable for effective protection of sensitive equipment.
• Leakage Current: The small amount of current that flows through the surge arrester under normal operating conditions. A low - leakage - current specification is important to minimize power losses and ensure that the arrester does not interfere with the normal operation of the electrical system.
• Surge - Arrester Rating: This encompasses various parameters such as the energy - handling capacity, clamping voltage, maximum continuous operating voltage, and impulse - current rating. The surge - arrester rating is used to select the appropriate arrester for a given application and to ensure that it provides effective protection for the equipment.