Aug. 14, 2026
The core component is a zinc oxide (ZnO) resistor varistor, whose internal grains exhibit nonlinear volt-ampere characteristics:
1. Under normal power frequency voltage (without lightning)The insulating layer between zinc oxide grains blocks current, resulting in a significantly high resistance and only microampere-level leakage current. The arrester is approximately insulated, which does not affect the normal operation of the power grid and causes no power loss.
2. When lightning/switching overvoltage strikesInstantaneous high voltage breaks down the insulating layer between grains, causing a sharp decrease in the resistance of the valve plate, which quickly discharges the lightning current into the ground. At the same time, it limits the amplitude of overvoltage in the power grid, protecting equipment insulation such as transformers, switchgear cabinets, and insulators.
3. After the overvoltage disappearsOnce the voltage drops back to normal levels, the valve plate immediately reverts to a high-resistance state, automatically cutting off the power frequency continuous current. This process does not cause a short circuit in the power grid and eliminates the need for an arc-extinguishing gap (gapless type).
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The principle of zinc oxide arrester
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Aug. 14, 2026
