*Lighting Arrester*

Summary
What is Lightning Arrester.
Types of Lighting Arrester.
a- Expulsion type
b- Valve type arrester
c- Gapless metal-oxide type
Classification of Lighting Arrester
a- Station class
b- Intermediate class
c- Distribution class
d- Secondary class
Identification
Standard Ratings
Service Condition
a- Normal Service Condition
b- Abnormal Service Condition
What is Lightning Arrester
Lighting Arrester:- A device
designed to protect electrical
equipment from high
transient voltage and to limit
the duration and frequency
the amplitude of follow-
current.
Surge arrester are usually
connected the electrical
conductors of a network and
earth though they may
Types of Lighting Arrester
Originally, three types of surge
arresters. They are:
1. Expulsion type;
2. Valve type arrester;
3. Gapless metal-oxide type;

Ref-http://www.geindustrial.com/Newsletter/lightning_arresters_guide.pdf
 Expulsion type
This type of arrester is also
called protector tube and is
commonly used on system
operating at voltages up to
33kV. It essentially consists of a
rod gap AA in series with the
protector tube. The upper
electrode of protector tube is
connected to rod gap and the
lower electrode to the earth.
Advantages:- 1- They are not
http://www.circuitmaniac.com/2009/03/21/expulsion-type-arrester/
Valve Type Arrester
Valve type
arresters incorporate non
linear resistors and are
extensively used on systems,
operating at high voltages. It
consists of two assemblies (i)
series spark gaps and (ii) non-
linear resistor discs in series.
The non-linear elements are
connected in series with the
spark gaps and earth.
 Gapless metal-oxide type
The gapless metal-oxide type arrester
are the most widely used today. The
metal oxide lightning arrester is the most
advanced over-voltage protector. It is
widely used as protective devices against
switching and lightning over voltages in
power electrical systems such as power
transformers ,distributors, generators,
compensation capacitors.
Classification of Lighting Arrester
There are four classifications of surge
arresters.
i. Station class
ii. Intermediate class
iii. Distribution class(heavy, normal and
light duty)
iv. Secondary class
The station class surge arrester is the
best because of its cost and overall
protective quality and durability. It has
 Nominal discharge current-Peak
value of lightning current impulse
which is used to classify an arrester.
Surge arrester are classified by their
nominal discharge current.
Station class for 10,000A arresters;
Intermediate(Series A) for 5,000A
arrester
Distribution(Series B) for 5,000A
ISarrester
15086-44-SURGE ARRESTER(Part-1),clause 3.1
Identification
Surge arrester shall be identified by the
following minimum information which
shall appear on the rating
plate(nameplate):
1- Rated Voltage;
2- Rated Frequency
3- Nominal Discharge Current(Specifying
for the 5 000A arrester whether series A
or B, and for the 10 000 A arrester,
whether light or heavy duty)
4- Long-duration discharge class(for 10 000
A heavy duty arrester)
5- Manufacturers name or trademark, type
Standard Ratings
Standard values of rated voltages for
arresters(kV r.m.s.)are specified in
table 2 in equal voltage steps within
specified voltage ranges.

Standard rated frequencies are 50Hz

and 60Hz
IEC-60099-44_Surge arrester, clause 5.1&2
 Service Condition
1- Normal service conditions:- Surge
arresters which conform to this standard
shall be suitable for normal operation
under the following normal service
condition;
a- Ambient air temperature within the
ranges of -40C to +40 C;
b- Solar radiation;
c- Altitude not exceeding 1000m;
d- Frequency of the A.C. power supply not
less than 48 Hz and not exceeding 62 Hz.
e- Wind speed 34 m/s
2- Abnormal service
conditions:- Surge arrester subjected to
other than normal application or service
conditions may required special consideration
in design, manufacture or application. The use
of this standard in case of abnormal service
conditions is subjected to agreement between
the manufacture and the purchaser. A list of
possible abnormal service condition is given.
Temperature in excess of +40C or below -40 C.
Altitude higher than 1000 m.
Nominal system frequency below 48Hz or
above 62Hz.
Unusual transportation or storage.