The purpose of a surge arrester in electrical systems is to protect sensitive electrical equipment and devices from damage caused by voltage surges or transients. Voltage surges, also known as electrical spikes or transient overvoltages, are brief, rapid increases in voltage that can occur due to various reasons such as lightning strikes, switching operations, or faults in the power grid.
When a surge of high voltage enters an electrical system, it can exceed the normal operating voltage levels and cause serious damage to connected devices. Some of the sensitive electrical equipment that could be affected includes computers, televisions, communication systems, control systems, and other electronic devices.
A surge arrester, also called a surge protector or lightning arrester, is a device designed to divert or shunt excess voltage from the electrical system to a safe path, preventing it from reaching and damaging the connected equipment. Surge arresters are typically installed at the entry points of electrical systems, such as at the main service entrance, distribution panels, or near critical equipment.
Surge arresters work by offering a low-impedance path to the excessive voltage, effectively conducting it away from the connected equipment and dissipating it safely to the ground. The surge arrester usually contains metal-oxide varistors (MOVs) or other components that exhibit high resistance under normal operating voltages but quickly switch to a low-resistance state when faced with high voltage transients.
By installing surge arresters in electrical systems, the risk of costly equipment damage, data loss, or system downtime due to voltage surges is greatly reduced, ensuring more reliable and safe operation of the electrical infrastructure. It is essential to choose surge arresters suitable for the specific application and follow proper installation guidelines to ensure their effectiveness and protection capability.