Hello guys welcome to the new post. In this post, we will learn What is a Lightning Arrester. In today’s modern world, where technology is growing fastly, we based on electrical systems to power our homes, businesses, and industries. However, the devastating power of lightning strikes disturbs a significant threat to these electrical systems. To protect against these risks, lightning arresters are important. In this post, we will discuss the details parameters of lightning arresters, their working principle, and the different types. Let’s get started with What is a Lightning Arrester?
What is a Lightning Arrester?
A lightning arrester, also called a surge arrester or lightning diverter, is a protective component designed to save electrical equipment from being damaged by lightning strikes. It offers a low-resistance path for lightning surges to follow, diverting the excessive current away from sensitive electrical devices
Working Principle of Lightning Arresters
Lightning arresters operate based on the principle of discharge and grounding. When a lightning strike occurs, a larger surge of electrical energy travels through the power lines. The lightning arrester detects this surge and makes a path having the least resistance for the current to flow safely into the ground. Through this process, it protects the connected devices from the damaging effects of lightning-induced voltage spikes.
Types of Lightning Arresters
Rod Type Lightning Arrester
The rod-type lightning arrester, also called conventional or Franklin lightning arrester is the oldest and most used design. It comes with a metal rod or rods positioned at a high point on a structure. When lightning strikes, the rod attracts the electrical charge and conducts it easily into the ground.
ESE Lightning Arrester
The Early Streamer Emission lightning arrester is an advanced type that offers enhanced protection. It features an ionization system that produces a streamer ahead of time, extending the range at which it can attract lightning strikes. This is used for fast dissipation of the lightning energy, decreasing the risk of damage to electrical systems.
Gapless Lightning Arrester
Gapless lightning arresters, called metal oxide varistors (MOVs), use metal oxide blocks as voltage-dependent resistors. These arresters provide good protection against transient voltage surges produced by lightning strikes. They have a fast response time and can handle high-energy surges, which makes them best for critical applications.
Lightning Arrester in Substation
Lightning arresters installed in substations work on the same fundamental principles as those used in other electrical systems. When a lightning surge produces, the arrester detects the sudden increment in voltage and fastly diverts the surge to the ground, protecting the connected substation devices. The arrester accomplishes this by the use of a series of metal oxide varistors (MOVs) or other voltage-dependent resistors, which offer a high impedance during normal operating conditions and low impedance during surges.
Considerations for Lightning Arrester Installation in Substations
- Location: Lightning arresters must be strategically configured to provide effective coverage and protect the vulnerable devices of the substation. The height and configuration of lightning masts or other mounting structures must be optimized to attract lightning strikes away from critical components.
- Arrester Ratings: The use of lightning arresters must be based on the substation’s voltage level, system configuration, and the expected magnitude of lightning surges. The arrester ratings should be appropriately matched to make sure effective protection.
- Grounding System: Accurate grounding is important for the effective operation of lightning arresters. A well-designed grounding system provides the safe dissipation of lightning currents into the earth and decreases the risk of damage to substation equipment.
- Maintenance and Inspection: They need regular maintenance and inspection routines. Which are visual inspections, testing for proper operation, and cleaning to eliminate any contaminants that can affect their performance
How Lightning Arrester works
A lightning arrester works by offering a low-impedance path for electrical surges, such as those resulting from lightning strikes, to safely discharge the excessive energy to the ground. Some steps explained for working
- Normal Operating Conditions: Under normal operating conditions, when the voltage levels lie within the rated limits, the lightning arrester retains a high-resistance state. It does not cause a current and has no impact on the electrical system.
- Surge Event: When a surge, like a lightning strike or voltage surge, exists, the voltage levels in the electrical system suddenly increase than the arrester’s rated voltage.
- Voltage Response: As a result of the increased voltage, the lightning arrester fastly varies its impedance characteristics. This variation is achieved through the use of metal oxide or silicon carbide blocks in the arrester.
- Low-Impedance Path: The lightning arrester makes a low-impedance path, providing minimal resistance to the surge current. This path diverts the major part of the surge energy away from the protected equipment.
- Diverting the Surge Current: The surge current, which follows the excessive energy from the lightning strike or voltage surge, passes through the lightning arrester and bypasses the sensitive devices.. The arrester moves the surge current down to the grounding system.
- Dissipation of Energy: The grounding system, generally has rods or conductive plates buried in the earth, safely disperses the surge energy into the ground, where it dissipates harmlessly.
- Restoration to High-Resistance State: Once the surge occurs and the voltage return to normal levels, the lightning arrester slowly restores its high-resistance state. It resumes its protective role against future surge events.
Differences Between Types of Lightning Arresters
As all lightning arresters are used for the same purpose, there are some differences between the differnt types.
| Rod Type Lightning Arrester | Early Streamer Emission (ESE) Lightning Arrester | Gapless (MOV) Lightning Arrester | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working Principle | Lightning strikes the rod, which ionizes the surrounding air and creates a conductive path to the ground. | it releases a streamer ahead of time to create an ionized path, increasing the likelihood of lightning striking the rod and providing an earlier response. | Uses metal oxide varistors (MOVs) to absorb and divert lightning surges to the ground. |
| Response Time | Slow response time compared to ESE and gapless lightning arresters. | Fast response time, triggering an ionized path before the lightning strike. | Faster response time due to the MOVs’ ability to quickly divert the surge to the ground. |
| Protection Range | It has a protection range of up to a few hundred meters. | offer a larger protection range compared to rod-type lightning arresters, ranging from tens to hundreds of meters. | Provide a relatively smaller protection range, often limited to the immediate vicinity of the equipment being protected. |
| Installation Height | It needs installation at higher elevations for effective protection. | it needs installation at higher elevations, similar to rod-type lightning arresters. | Can be installed at differnt heights, depending on the specific requirements of the electrical system. |
| Maintenance | regular inspection and maintenance to ensure proper operation is needed | inspection and maintenance, similar to rod-type lightning arresters needed | It needs periodic inspections but generally has a longer lifespan and lower maintenance requirements compared to rod-type arresters. |
| Cost | Relatively less cost than ESE and gapless lightning arresters. | higher costs due to advanced technology and greater protection range. | Generally falls within a moderate to high-cost range due to the use of MOVs. |
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Lightning Arrester
When choosing a lightning arrester, differnt factors must be considered. That is the type and location of the structure, the level of lightning activity in the area, the required protection level, and the certain requirements of the electrical system.
Benefits and Importance of Lightning Arresters
- Preventing damage to electrical systems: These arresters divert high voltage surges away from sensitive devices preventing costly damage and downtime.
- Ensuring safety: By decreasing the risk of electrical fires and explosions produced lightning strikes, lightning arresters help to protect lives and property.
- Extending equipment lifespan: Lightning-induced voltage spikes can cause premature failure of different components. Lightning arresters mitigate this risk, causing increased equipment longevity.
Installation and Maintenance of Lightning Arresters
Accurate installation and regular maintenance are needed for ensuring the effective operation of lightning arresters. During installation, it is important to follow manufacturer guidelines and national standards. Routine inspections, like testing visual checks, and cleaning, must be conducted to find any damage or deterioration and take necessary corrective actions promptly.
Characteristics of an Ideal Lightning Arrester
- High Surge Current Handling Capacity: The lightning arrester must have the ability to handle high surge currents produced by lightning strikes or voltage surges. It must be capable of diverting and safely dissipating the excessive energy to the ground without being damaged.
- Fast Response Time: The ideal lightning arrester also has a rapid response time to make sure that it activates fastly when a surge occurs. This reduces the duration of high-voltage exposure to the protected devices, reducing the risk of damage.
- Low Voltage Protection Level: The lightning arrester must have a low voltage protection level, which means it triggers and start conducting when the voltage is larger than a certain predetermined threshold. A lower voltage protection level makes sure that the arrester activates early and offers effective protection against surges.
- Low Residual Voltage: After the surge event has passed, an ideal lightning arrester has less residual voltage. Residual voltage refers to the voltage that is across the arrester after it has conducted the surge current. A low residual voltage ensures that the protected devices is exposed to the least amount of voltage stress.
- High Energy Absorption Capacity: The lightning arrester must have a high energy absorption capacity to handle a large amount of energy from lightning strikes. It should effectively dissipate the energy into the grounding system, and avoid any damage to the protected devices
- Longevity and Reliability: The ideal lightning arrester also has a long service life and is reliable in its operation. It must be able to withstand multiple surge events without degradation in performance or the need for frequent replacement.
- Low Maintenance: A required characteristic of a lightning arrester is low maintenance need. It should not need regular inspection, testing, or maintenance to ensure its effectiveness. This causes cost savings and decreases downtime in the substation.
- Compact and Lightweight Design: These arresters are often installed in substations where space is limited. TSo, an ideal arrester has a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to install and accommodate in the substation layout.
Location of Lightning Arrester
Lightning arresters are placed at different locations in the power system to offer comprehensive protection for lightning strikes and voltage surges. Here are some locations where lightning arresters are installed:
- Substation Entrances: Lightning arresters are normally installed at the entrances of substations. They are connected between the incoming power lines and the substation devices to intercept any surges that can originate from the transmission or distribution lines.
- Transmission Lines: Arresters are installed along transmission lines at regular intervals. These arresters help to capture and redirect lightning-induced surges away from the transmission equipment, like transformers and circuit breakers.
- Distribution Feeders: Lightning arresters can also be connected at the start of distribution feeders. These feeders carry power from the substation to the distribution transformers and users’ end. The arresters protect the distribution transformers and other devices from surges entering through the feeders.
- Transformer Bushings: Arresters are often configured to the bushings of power transformers. The bushings are the points where the transformer is attached to the electrical system. By installing arresters at these locations, the transformers are protected from lightning-induced surges.
- Switchgear and Circuit Breakers: Lightning arresters can be connected at the entrance or within switchgear and circuit breaker panels. These locations are important as they protect the switching and control equipment from surges that can occur during normal operation or due to lightning strikes.
- Surge Capacitor Banks: In some conditions, surge capacitor banks are connected to substations to further enhance lightning protection. These capacitor banks, with lightning arresters, help to suppress and absorb surge energy, avoiding it from reaching critical equipment.
Lightning Arrester vs Surge Arrester
| Criteria | Lightning Arrester | Surge Arrester |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Protects against lightning strikes | Protects against voltage surges |
| Operation | Diverts lightning-induced surges | Diverts voltage surges |
| Surge Handling | Handles high surge currents | Handles voltage surges |
| Triggering | Activates at high voltage levels | Activates at a predetermined threshold |
| Voltage Protection | Low voltage protection level | Varies based on the application |
| Placement | Substation entrances, distribution feeders, transformer bushings, transmission lines, switchgear panels | Substations, equipment panels electrical systems, |
| Energy Dissipation | Safely dissipates excessive energy to ground | Safely dissipates extra energy to ground |
| Residual Voltage | Less residual voltage after a surge | Changes based on the application |
| Maintenance | low maintenance requirements | It also has low maintenance requirements |
| Design | Can be created for certain lightning protection needs | designed for specific surge protection needs |
| Application | Mostly used in power systems | Used in various electrical systems |
FAQS
What do you mean by a lightning arrester?
A lightning arrester called a surge arrester or lightning diverter, is a protective instrument used in electrical systems to avoid damage produced by lightning strikes. It has a low-resistance path for lightning surges to follow, diverting them away from sensitive devices and grounding them safely.
What is a lightning arrester and its types?
A lightning arrester is a device made to protect electrical systems from the damaging effects of lightning strikes and electrical surges. There are different types of lightning arresters, like Early Streamer Emission (ESE) lightning arresters, rod-type lightning arresters (conventional or Franklin), and gapless lightning arresters (metal oxide varistors or MOVs).
What is an arrester used for?
An arrester, that is a lightning arrester, is used to protect electrical devices and systems from the harmful effects of lightning strikes and electrical surges. It offers a path of least resistance for lightning surges to follow, diverting them safely to the ground and reducing the chance of damage to connected equipment.
What is a lightning arrester in electricity?
- In electricity, a lightning arrester is a protective component that protects electrical systems from the potentially destructive impact of lightning strikes. It detects and diverts lightning surges away from sensitive electrical components, avoding damage caused by high voltage spikes.
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What are the three types of lightning arresters?
- The three 3 types of lightning arresters are:
- Rod Type Lightning Arrester (Franklin or conventional)
- Early Streamer Emission (ESE) Lightning Arrester
- Gapless Lightning Arrester (Metal Oxide Varistor or MOV)
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Which lightning arrester is mostly used?
- Among the different types of lightning arresters, the rod-type lightning arrester, also called Franklin or conventional lightning arrester, is mostly used. It has been in use for many years and is known for its effectiveness, simplicity, and cost-efficiency.
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What are the advantages of a lightning arrester?
- The advantages of lightning arresters are
- Protection against lightning-induced voltage surges, and avoid damage to electrical equipment.
- Reduces downtime and maintenance costs due to equipment damage caused by lightning strikes.
- Enhanced safety for personnel by minimizing the risk of electrical faults and hazards.
- Prolonged lifespan of electrical equipment, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
- Make sure the reliability of electrical systems and uninterrupted power supply.
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Where is a lightning arrester placed?
- Lightning arresters are placed at vulnerable points in electrical systems, like at rooftops, utility poles, or other high points. They are positioned to intercept lightning strikes and provide a path for the causing surge to safely dissipate to the ground.
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What is the range of a lightning arrester?
- The range of a lightning arrester defines its ability to protect devices in a certain radius from a lightning strike. The range changes based on the type and design of the arrester. Early Streamer Emission (ESE) lightning arresters typically have a larger protection range than other types of arresters.
