You should know that a surge protection device and lightning arrester serve different roles in electrical safety. A surge protection device safeguards your equipment from sudden voltage spikes, which often occur when power switches or when lightning strikes at a distance. On the other hand, a lightning arrester protects your building from direct lightning strikes. Power surges are responsible for 34% of unplanned outages, while 79% of locations experience fewer equipment failures when they use a surge protection device. Without the proper surge protection device and lightning arrester, direct lightning strikes can cause the majority of equipment failures.
Key Takeaways
- Surge protection devices keep electronics safe from quick voltage jumps inside buildings. – Lightning arresters keep buildings and power lines safe from lightning strikes outside. – Both devices work better together to give full protection from all electrical surges. – Put lightning arresters on rooftops or poles and surge protection devices near important indoor equipment. – Using both devices and good grounding keeps your systems safe and lowers the chance of damage.
Definitions
Surge Protection Device
A surge protection device keeps your electronics safe from voltage spikes. These spikes can happen when big machines turn on or off. They can also happen if lightning strikes far away. Experts use rules to explain what a surge protection device is. The table below shows how two groups describe it:
| Standard | Definition Summary |
|---|---|
| UL 1449 (Underwriters Laboratories, USA) | Says an SPD has at least one special part that controls surge voltages by moving or stopping surge currents. It can work many times. |
| IEC 61643 (International Electrotechnical Commission) | Says an SPD is a full unit with at least one special part to control surge voltages and move surge currents. It might have extra features and ways to connect. |
Both groups say the main job is to control surge voltages and protect your things. Surge protection devices and lightning arresters work together, but each does something different. You usually put surge protection devices inside homes or businesses to protect electronics.
Lightning Arrester
A lightning arrester keeps your building and wires safe from direct lightning. If lightning hits a power line or your building, the arrester gives the surge a safe way to the ground. This device has a high-voltage end and a ground end. When a surge comes, the arrester acts like a safety valve. It quickly sends extra voltage to the ground and then stops when things are normal. You use a lightning arrester to keep wires and insulation from getting hurt. Both surge protection devices and lightning arresters are important, but the lightning arrester handles the biggest surges from direct lightning.
Key Differences
Purpose
You use a surge protection device and lightning arrester for different reasons. A surge protection device keeps electronics safe from sudden voltage spikes. These spikes can happen when big machines turn on or off. They can also come from problems in the power grid or lightning far away. The main job of a surge protection device is to stop or move these surges so your equipment does not get hurt.
A lightning arrester protects buildings and big electrical systems from direct lightning strikes. When lightning hits, the arrester gives the strong current a safe way to the ground. This helps stop fires or damage to buildings. Think of the lightning arrester as the first shield. The surge protection device is like a second shield for your electronics.
Tip: Remember, a surge protection device and lightning arrester work best together. One stops direct lightning, and the other handles leftover surges.
Protection Targets
The two devices protect different things. A surge protection device guards electronics like computers and servers. You often find them near control panels or inside homes and offices. They react fast to small voltage spikes that could hurt circuits.
A lightning arrester protects big things like power lines and transformers. You see them on tall buildings or power poles. Their main job is to keep structures and heavy equipment safe from lightning.
Here is a simple table to show what each device protects:
| Device Type | Main Protection Target |
|---|---|
| Surge Protection Device | Sensitive electronics, computers, networks |
| Lightning Arrester | Buildings, power lines, transformers, towers |
Installation
You put a surge protection device and lightning arrester in different places. Surge protection devices go inside buildings, often at the main panel or near important equipment. You might see more than one in a building, each guarding a different area or device. For example, you can put one at the entrance and others near computers.
Lightning arresters go outside, usually at the highest points of a building or on power poles. You install them where they can catch lightning before it gets inside. In big places, you may see them on rooftops or near transformers. Good grounding is always needed for both devices, but it is extra important for lightning arresters to safely send lightning away.
Note: National codes give rules for where and how to install each device. Always follow these rules for the best protection.
Operation
A surge protection device and lightning arrester work in different ways. Surge protection devices use fast parts like metal oxide varistors or gas tubes. These parts sense a voltage spike and react very quickly, making the voltage safe. They handle small, quick surges and reset after each one.
Lightning arresters use materials like zinc oxide to make a path when lightning strikes. They can handle very strong currents from direct lightning. The arrester sends the surge to the ground, then goes back to normal. While surge protection devices focus on speed, lightning arresters focus on handling lots of energy.
You can see the main differences in this table:
| Feature | Surge Protection Device | Lightning Arrester |
|---|---|---|
| Response Time | Nanoseconds (very fast) | Fast, but handles more energy |
| Energy Handling | Lower (for small surges) | Very high (for direct strikes) |
| Reset Ability | Resets after each surge | Resets after each strike |
| Main Use | Protects electronics | Protects structures and equipment |
When you use both a surge protection device and lightning arrester, you get full protection for your building and electronics. Each device has a special job, and together they keep your systems safe from all kinds of surges.
Surge Protection Device and Lightning Arrester Applications
Typical Uses
You can find surge protection devices and lightning arresters in many places. Each one has a special job in different areas. The table below shows where you might see them and what they protect:
| Industry | Common Uses for Surge Protection Devices | Common Uses for Lightning Arresters |
|---|---|---|
| Homes | TVs, computers, kitchen appliances | Main electrical panel, rooftop |
| Industrial Automation | Sensors, controllers, robotic equipment | Power lines, transformers |
| Power Systems | Substations, generators, control rooms | High-voltage lines, substations |
| Communication Networks | Switches, routers, data centers | Communication towers, tall buildings |
| Security Monitoring | Cameras, alarms, recording devices | Outdoor wiring, exposed equipment |
| Renewable Energy | Solar inverters, battery storage systems | Solar panel arrays, wind turbines |
| Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging | Charging stations, control units | Service entrance, outdoor charging points |
A surge protection device keeps electronics safe from voltage spikes. A lightning arrester protects buildings and big equipment from direct lightning. Both devices help stop expensive repairs and long downtime.
Real-World Scenarios
There are many times when these devices help:
- At home, a surge protection device keeps your TV and computer safe during storms.
- In factories, these devices protect motors and machines from sudden spikes. This helps you avoid losing production time.
- Data centers use surge protection devices to keep servers working, even if lightning hits nearby.
- Oil and gas tanks use lightning arresters to stop fires from direct lightning. Over 3,500 places have seen fewer repairs and better safety.
- Solar farms and EV charging stations use both devices. The surge protection device protects sensitive electronics. The lightning arrester shields the whole system from lightning.
Tip: You need both a surge protection device and lightning arrester for full safety. The surge protection device handles small surges that can hurt electronics. The lightning arrester deals with big strikes that can damage your building or equipment.
Combined Protection
Layered Approach
The best way to protect your home or business is by using layers. You should not depend on just one device. Instead, use different types of protection in several places in your electrical system. For example, put a lightning arrester at the main entrance. This device is the first shield. It stops strong surges from direct lightning and sends them safely to the ground.
Then, add surge protection devices in important spots. Type 1 devices go at the main panel. They catch big surges that get past the lightning arrester. Type 2 devices are at subpanels. They handle smaller surges moving through the system. Type 3 devices protect sensitive electronics like computers and TVs at the outlet. Each layer lowers the voltage a little more. By the time it gets to your equipment, it is safe.
Good grounding is very important for this plan. Grounding lets each device send extra energy away. This keeps your system safe.
You can also use special surge protectors for phone and cable lines. Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) give another layer for important devices. Using many layers makes a strong defense against both big and small surges.
Why Both Matter
You need both a surge protection device and a lightning arrester for full safety. Lightning arresters handle the huge energy from direct lightning. They protect your building and wires. Surge protection devices catch leftover or smaller surges. These can still hurt your electronics. If you use only one, your system is not fully protected.
Most electronics can take up to 1,500 volts. Lightning surges can reach 6,000 volts or more. When you use both devices, you can lower the surge voltage to about 700-800 volts. This keeps your electronics safe and stops expensive damage.
Safety experts say using both devices together is best. It lowers downtime, protects your things, and keeps your data safe.
If you use only one kind of protection, you risk equipment failure, fire, or shutdown. Only a layered approach with both devices gives you the best chance to avoid these problems.
Comparison Table
Side-by-Side Summary
You may wonder how these two devices are different. Both help protect your electrical systems, but they do it in their own ways. Surge protection devices keep electronics safe from voltage spikes. They use special parts to move extra voltage away. These parts include metal oxide varistors and gas discharge tubes. Surge protection devices do not stop your power when working. Many of them have extra features. Some can monitor your system. Others filter out unwanted signals or have built-in fuses. You usually find surge protection devices inside homes or businesses. They are placed close to important equipment.
Lightning arresters protect buildings and main power lines from direct lightning. They act like insulators until a very high voltage comes. When lightning hits, they quickly send the surge to the ground. You often see lightning arresters on rooftops or power poles. They handle much more energy than surge protection devices. But they do not have the extra features that surge protection devices have.
Here is a table that shows the main differences:
| Aspect | Lightning Arrester | Surge Protection Device (SPD) |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage Rating | <3kV up to 1000kV; as low as 0.28kV | ≤1.2kV, 380V, 220 |
| Protection Target | Buildings, power lines, transformers | Electronics, computers, control panels |
| Installation Location | Outside, on rooftops or power poles | Inside, near panels or devices |
| Material | Zinc oxide varistors (metal oxide) | Metal oxide, gas tubes, finer design |
| Technical Performance | Slower response, less aging resistance | Fast response, monitoring, EMI/RFI filtering, fusing |
| Operational Principle | Insulator until high voltage, then conducts | Diverts voltage spikes without stopping power |
Tip: You get the best protection when you use both devices together. The lightning arrester stops big surges from outside. The surge protection device handles smaller spikes inside your system.
- Lightning arresters deal with direct lightning and protect main systems.
- Surge protection devices guard against switching surges and voltage spikes.
- Both devices work together to keep your home or business safe.
You have learned how surge protection devices are different from lightning arresters. The table below shows the main ways they are not the same:
| Aspect | Lightning Arresters | Surge Protection Devices |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage Range | Used for high voltage systems | Used for low voltage systems |
| Protected Equipment | Protects large equipment | Protects sensitive electronics |
| Installation Location | Put on incoming lines, substations | Put on distribution boards, terminals |
To pick the best protection, you should:
- Look at how much lightning your area gets and your building’s design.
- Put devices where they will protect the most things.
- Use both types of devices to stay fully safe.
If you need more help, you can check the IET website or other electrical safety sites for advice.
Choose ONESTOP surge protection device: With over 20 years of manufacturing experience, international certification assurance, and excellent quality, we help you comprehensively improve circuit safety protection.
FAQ
What is the main job of a surge protection device?
A surge protection device helps keep electronics safe from voltage spikes. It stops extra voltage from hurting things like computers and TVs.
What does a lightning arrester protect?
A lightning arrester keeps your building and big electrical systems safe from direct lightning. It sends dangerous lightning energy safely into the ground.
What happens if you use only one device?
If you use just a surge protection device or only a lightning arrester, your system is still at risk. You need both to get full protection from all kinds of surges.
What should you check before choosing a device?
You should check if your building is likely to get hit by lightning. Think about the weather, how tall your building is, and what electronics you want to protect.
What is the difference in where you install each device?
You put surge protection devices inside, near panels or outlets. Lightning arresters go outside, on rooftops or power poles. Each device works best in its own place.
The following information may be of interest to you
Surge Protection vs. Lightning Arrester: Key Differences
What Is a Lightning Protection System and How Does It Work
Protecting Your Devices Surge Protector or Voltage Stabilizer
Can lightning trip a circuit breaker
What Are the Main Features of Level 1 and Level 2 Lightning Protection
