What is the function of lightning arrester?

Lightning arresters are used to protect electrical equipment from high transient overvoltage when struck by lightning, and to limit the aftercurrent time, often limiting the aftercurrent amplitude.

The most primitive arrester is claw gap, which appeared at the end of19th century. It is used for overhead transmission lines to prevent lightning from damaging the insulation of equipment and causing power failure, so it is called "lightning arrester". In the 1920s, aluminum arrester, oxide film arrester and bullet arrester appeared.

Tubular lightning arresters appeared in the 1930s. Silicon carbide arrester appeared in 1950s. In 1970s, metal oxide lightning arresters reappeared.

Modern high voltage arrester is not only used to limit the overvoltage caused by lightning in power system, but also used to limit the overvoltage caused by system operation.