Lightning Arrester Types: a guide to choosing and installation

Every year, Lightning strikes damage electrical equipment and buildings to the tune of billions of rupees annually. Protecting your property from lightning is crucial , in which Lightning protection system (LPS) is your first line of defense, and at the heart of this system is the lightning arrester. But with different lightning arrester types available, choosing the right one for your home or commercial building can be confusing. This guide will help you understand all you options.

To assist you in making an informed choice. Therefore, this comprehensive guide from ADASEarth will describe the various lightning arrester types, break down their working principle, and give you a clear overview of lightning arrester installation.

What is a Lightning Arrester? Understanding its Critical Function

It is a crucial device installed on electrical systems and structures to protect them from the devastating effects of lightning strikes and voltage surges. Specifically, Its primary function of lightning arrester is not to stop lightning but to provide a safe, controlled path for the massive electrical surge to flow directly into the grounding system, bypassing your valuable appliances and wiring.

Think of it as a pressure relief valve. Under normal conditions, it does nothing. But when a dangerous over-voltage occurs, it activates instantly to divert the harm away.

Lightning Arrester Working Principle: The Science of Protection

The lightning arrester working principle is based on providing a low-resistance path to the ground only during a surge. Typically, inside the arrester, there is a series of components (often made of metal oxides) that have a very high resistance under normal voltage.

However, when a surge voltage exceeding the normal threshold occurs (e.g., from a lightning strike), this resistance breaks down instantly. As a result, this creates a short circuit to the ground, channeling the surge current away from the equipment. Finally, once the surge passes, the arrester returns to its high-resistance state, cutting off the follow-on current and allowing the system to operate normally again.

How to choose a right one

Understanding the different lightning arrester types is key to selecting the right protection. Your choice of lightning arrester type will ultimately depend on your budget and specific safety needs.

1. Rod Gap Arrester

A simple and outdated category consisting of a gap between two rods. Specially, it consists of a gap between two rods. When a surge occurs, it jumps the gap to earth. It’s imprecise and can be slow to operate

2. Expulsion Type Arrester

Uses a fiber tube that produces a gas to extinguish the arc after the surge passes. Often used for older, outdoor power line protection.

Valve Type Arrester: The Modern Standard

Among all options, this arrester represents the most common choice for modern high-voltage systems. Notably, It uses a non-linear resistor (like a zinc oxide block) that offers very high resistance normally and very low resistance during a surge. As a result, they are highly effective and reliable. Additionaly, they operate very quickly and require no maintenance, making them sutable for both indoor and outdoor use. Therefore, This makes valve type arresters the industry standard for most application

ESE (Early Streamer Emission) Lightning Arrester: For Extended Protection

It’s an advanced, active arrester for building protection. Despite the advantages of valve type, it claims to have a longer “capture range” than a standard air terminal, creating a larger zone of protection. Therefore, This makes it a popular ESE lightning arresters for protecting large structures like factories, hospitals, and residential complexes.

· For a full breakdown of how an LPS works, read our guide on What Is A Lightning Protection System?

Surge Arrester vs. lightning Arrester: What’s the difference?

This is a common point of confusion. While both protect against over-voltage, they are designed for different threats:

• Lightning Arrester: Designed to handle the massive, high-voltage current of a direct or nearby lightning strike. It is installed at the origin of the electrical service (e.g., main panel) or on the roof as part of an external LPS.
• Surge Arrester (or Surge Protector): Designed to handle smaller, more frequent voltage surges from within the power grid (e.g., from motors or transformers switching). They are installed at sub-panels or point-of-use for delicate electronics.

Professional Installation guidelines for Home and Building

The process varies for external and internal arresters. To ensure proper installation, follow these steps,

For an External LPS (on the building structure):

• Firstly, arresters (air terminals) mount on the highest points of the roof.
• Then, they are connected via down conductors that run along the walls.
• Most importantly, all down conductors must terminate into a low-resistance earthing system comprising earth rods and a grounding grid.
• The entire system relies on this. Learn more in our article on What Is Earthing in Electrical Systems?
• The connection point is often a test link box. Learn its role here.

For an Internal Arrester (at the electrical panel):

• Firstly, Licensed electrician must perform installation.
• Then, It is wired in parallel between the phase conductor and the ground terminal.
• Most important, the earthing system must be impeccable, often using high-performance copper bonded earth rods.
• We recommend these rods for their reliability. See our types of copper bonded earth rods article.

CONCLUSION: SECURE YOUR PROPERTY WITH THE RIGHT PROTECTION

In summary, choosing the correct lightning arrester types and ensuring its professional installation under safety guidelines for electrical installations is one of the most important investments you can make in the safety longevity of your property. Ultimately, It is not a standalone component but the critical link between a lightning strike and a safe, dissipating earthing system. Thus, we strongly recommend consulting with experts to ensure optimal protection for your property.