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Learn about lightning arresters — types, construction, working, and testing methods that protect power systems from surge and overvoltage damage.
A valve-type lightning arrester is an effective type of lightning arrester for high voltage surges. Here, we shall explore how valve-type lightning arresters work and why they were revolutionary in their time. What Is a Valve-Type Lightning Arrester? As stated, a valve-type lightning arrester is a high-voltage surge protection device. It was widely used in … Read more
Zinc oxide has a semiconducting nature. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an n-type semiconductor. An n-type semiconductor is a material in which loosely bound electrons are available. However, zinc oxide (ZnO) is not like conventional semiconductors such as germanium or silicon. In germanium or silicon semiconductors, these extra electrons come from dopants. But in ZnO, no … Read more
Why was the gapless ZnO lightning arrester developed over the valve-type lightning arrester? In a valve-type lightning arrester, we connect spark gaps in series with non-linear resistors. This is necessary because silicon carbide (SiC) has a relatively low non-linearity coefficient (α ≈ 5–7). As a result, the knee point in the V–I characteristic of an … Read more
A lightning arrester is a protective device used in electrical power systems, buildings, communication systems, and other infrastructure to safely divert high-voltage surges caused by lightning strikes or switching events to the ground for preventing damage to equipment. Actually, a lightning arrester is a device connected between the line and ground. It remains non-conductive under … Read more
In this article, we shall explore the lightning arrester ratings. The article includes rated voltage, MCOV, discharge current, residual voltage, energy absorption, and many more. Lightning Arrester Ratings based on Voltage How to Select the Lightning Arrester Ratings based on Voltage? For that, we have to consider two conditions. The first one is the effectively … Read more
Type Tests on a Lightning Arrester as per IS 3070 Routine Tests on a Lightning Arrester as per IS 3070 Routine Tests on a Surge Monitor Acceptance Tests on a Lightning Arrester Acceptance Test on a Surge Monitor
What is the definition of the rated voltage of a lightning arrester? As per IS 3070, the definition of the “rated voltage of a Lightning Arrester” is given below.The maximum permissible r.m.s. value of power-frequency voltage between the line and earth terminal under temporary over-voltage conditions for a duration of 10 seconds as established in … Read more