There is no doubt that even experts tend to be a bit confused in relation to terms used in the field of electrical engineering. The terms lightning and surge arresters are a source of confusion.
If you’re not acquainted about these concepts, it’s essential to be aware of the distinction. Many people think that surge arrester and lightning arrester are one and the same thing however, they differ. The former is put in outdoors while the latter is installed inside.
But both protect your electrical appliances from harm. Through this post, you will get to learn about the distinction between surge arresters and lightning.
What is a Surge Arrrester?
An surge arrester one type of device that protects you from harm. It is designed to restrict the power of equipment by blocking or releasing surge current. It prevents continued flow, and directs them towards the ground and is capable of reversing this process.
Surge arresters aren’t able to stop lightning, nor do they absorb them. They divert the lightning and restricts the voltage. It also safeguards electric equipment. Surge arresters are available in various types of applications, ranging from protecting homes to substations for utilities.
They are typically mounted inside transformers with pad mounts as well as on circuit breakers within houses, in substations as well as pole-mounted riser poles. The requirements for these arresters can be set in IEC standard 60099-4 as well as IEEE standards C62.11.
Main power lines experiences numerous voltage surges, and lightning is just one of the most frequent. Lightning is a unpredictable and unpredictable event. It is believed to be that approximately 100 lightning strikes Earth’s surface Earth per second.
Other types of voltage surges are the temporary surge of overvoltage and switching. Overvoltage that is temporary occurs when ground faults in just one phase. The voltage increases on the phases that are not affected and stay there until removed.
Switching surges are a form of overvoltage which results from changes in the operating conditions of an overall voltage spike. The energy that is generated by switching surges is stored and then released from the same.
What is a Lightning Arrrester?
Voltage surges are created in various ways as a result of lightning. This circuit is shielded from lightning strikes by the use of a specific device is called lightning stoppers.
Lightning surges are those with high transient voltages, surge currents caused by sparks, lightning and arcs of isolation etc. These devices safeguard from the electric power system through redirecting the surges of high voltage directly to ground.
Additionally, these systems are protected with the use of earthing wires or ground wires against direct strikes from lightning. They are positioned on towers, transmission poles or buildings to provide an unrestricted route to discharge current.
The basic principle behind lightning arrestors is fairly simple. When the voltage surge passes across the conductor until it arrives at the area where the arrestor was positioned. It cuts off the conductor’s insulation for a short time to allow the voltage surge will be able to travel towards the ground.
Once the voltage is reduced to the set value then the insulation will be reinstated between the conductors and grounded. In addition the current flowing toward the ground will cease immediately.
This type of arrestor is typically found near the device that has to be secured. They are also installed between the ground and phase in the alternating current circuit, as well as the pole and ground in direct current systems.
Surge Arresters vs Lightning Arresters:
The distinctions between lightning and surge arrestors are as follows.
Surge arrestors
- The primary function of these arrestors is to guard various kinds of electrical appliances within the house.
- The surge arrestors need to be mounted on your panel’s primary board.
- The surge arrestors protect the entire system from the effects of surges, electrical faults, switching lightning and unstable voltage.
- These arrestors break the electrical surges and redirect the surplus energy towards the ground via earth wire.
- The various types of surge arrestors are distribution, low-voltage neutral protector, fiber tube network signal direct currents, stations etc.
- This type of arrestor is used as a surge arrestor.
Lightning arrestors
- The primary purpose of these devices is to protect electrical appliances from being viewed by the outside, thus they are located outside the business or home.
- Installation of the lightning protectors may be made only on the outside of the panel board.
- The lightning arrestors direct the electricity flow to the ground via the arrestors directly.
- The lightning arrestors are utilized to prevent lightning strikes. Additionally, they can be utilized for connected surges too.
- The various types of lightning arrestors include metal oxide, electrolyte and multi gap, horn, sphere and rod.
- They are also able to be employed to stop surges.
Do You Need to Make Use of Surge Arresters and Lightning Arresters?
If you should choose to make use of surge arrestors as well as lightning arrestors is a million-dollar decision. In the beginning the tools are both safe for your home. But, it all is contingent on what you require to secure your home.
In the end, the decision to pick one of them is based on the type of security you require. The goal of both of them is to safeguard your home. Since both of these tools are designed to guard your home, one of them will work well.
In the majority of cases homeowners can choose to use either one for protection. But, it is important to take into consideration the particular aspect they are trying to safeguard. You can be assured that any of the tools could provide the appropriate protection for the electrical appliances that are in the home.
In case of doubt homeowners should contact an experienced and licensed electrician to offer the ideal solution. Since every house is unique and the requirements are different too. The experts offer specific advice specific to the requirements of each person.
Additionally, there are a lot of gadgets that one may be familiar with and it’s equally important to not follow any advice from others. Only a specialist working in the electrical field has the expertise required.
Conclusion
In the end in short, both surge and lightning arresters are crucial when it comes to safeguarding your electronic devices. They ensure that your devices are safe. The main distinction lies in the way they work.
Additionally, every person should be able to have them at office or home. Talk with a professional and discover the best option to protect your electronic devices.
Read Also:- DC Current Shunts: Essentials and Applications
