What Is a Surge Arrester and What Does It Do?

Surge Protectors are used to protect electrical systems against overvoltage surges. A surge protector is a protection element, normally passive and connected in parallel to the system, that protects electrical systems against sudden overvoltage surges. These sudden overvoltage surges can be caused by lightning or internal overvoltages, and these voltages occur at the microsecond level.

Surge protectors are insulating under normal operation, but when they experience a surge, they conduct and transfer the energy to the ground. This way, the system is protected against surges without any interruption in operation. Surge protectors have three main functions:

1- They provide protection against lightning strikes. (10/350 microsecond waveform)

2- They provide protection against internal overvoltages (8/20 microsecond waveform)

3- Protection of sensitive equipment

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What Are Surge Protectors Used For?

Surge protectors are manufactured as Class B (Class 1 or Type 1) for lightning protection, Class C (Class 2 or Type 2) for internal overvoltage protection, and Class D (Class 3 or Type 3) for protecting sensitive systems. Generally, surge protectors are used in:

• Transformer inputs
• Main panels
• Sub panels
• LED lighting systems
• CCTV, cameras, fire alarm systems
• Renewable energy systems
• Automation and communication lines