Choosing the right high voltage surge arrester demands careful attention to three core criteria: voltage rating, energy absorption class, and application environment. This guide explains each criterion step by step. It also offers practical tips. Readers will learn to avoid common surge arrestor selection mistakes. Surge Arrester Types and Operating Principles How a High Voltage Surge Arrester Protects Systems A metal-oxide varistor (MOV) inside a high voltage surge arrester acts as a voltage-sensitive switch. Under normal conditions, the MOV blocks allow only a small current to flow. When lightning strikes or switching operations create transient voltage spikes, the MOV resistance drops sharply. The device then diverts surge energy to ground. This action limits the voltage applied to connected insulation. After the transient passes, the arrester returns to its high-resistance state. IEEE C62.11-2020 covers metal-oxide surge arresters for AC power circuits above 1 kV. LEITAI’s advanced MO technology ensures fast response times. All MOVs have response times measured in nanoseconds. A surge protector with a nanosecond response time engages fast enough to suppress the most damaging portion of the spike. This…
