What Is A Lighting Arrester and How Does It Work?

Think about the flashes of light in the sky during a thunderstorm – that's lightning. It can be powerful and scary. But did you know there are certain ways to protect us from lightning. Humans can take precaution, but what about buildings and machines? Well, they have what we call lightning arresters. Just like how a shield protects a knight, these lightning arresters protect our buildings and machines from the strong energy of lightning.

This Story also Contains

1. Lightning Arrester: Definition and Types
2. Operational Mechanism of Lightning Arresters
3. Benefits and Importance of Lightning Arresters

In this article, we'll learn about these special protectors and how they keep us safe when the sky gets all sparky.

Lightning Arrester: Definition and Types

A lightning arrester is like a shield for buildings and machines during thunderstorms. Its job is to stop lightning from hurting things we care about. It's a bit like a superhero that attracts lightning and sends it safely away from the important stuff.

Different Types of Lightning Arresters:

Rod or Franklin Type Lightning Arrester: A rod arrester is like lightning's best friend. It sits on a building's roof and attracts lightning. When lightning strikes the building, it strikes the rod instead. Then it falls down the rod to the ground, causing no harm.

Horn Gap Arrester: A horn gap arrester captures lightning and directs it in a safe direction. It is divided into two sections that resemble horns. Lightning travels securely between these sections. It's almost as though a superhero is directing lightning.

Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) Arrester: This arrester reacts quickly, much like a quick friend. It helps by using a substance known as metal oxide. When it detects an excess of lightning energy, it allows some of it to fall to the ground. It's akin to saying, "Oops, go down there, lightning, and don't cause problems here."

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Operational Mechanism of Lightning Arresters

A lightning arrester consists of two major components: a spark gap and a nonlinear resistor. The spark gap is similar to a small gap between two wires. When the power of electricity across this gap becomes extremely powerful, the air between the wires changes. It's as though a little spark occurs, creating a conduit for the energy to travel through. This path, known as an arc, allows lightning's strong electricity to safely fall to the ground.

The nonlinear resistor, on the other hand. This portion is unique in that it behaves differently depending on the strength of the electricity. It's like a switch that only turns on when there's a lot of electricity. When lightning's electricity passes through the resistor, it becomes warm and begins to function as a conductor. This means that it allows lightning's electricity to flow to the ground without harming anything around.

Lightning arresters are typically installed on the roofs of buildings or near electrical panels. They are also used on power lines and other electrical structures that could be damaged by lightning.

Let’s learn how a lightning arrester works:

When there's lightning in the sky, it creates a really powerful electric field. This field changes the air around the lightning arrester. It's as if the air becomes a special pathway for the electricity to travel.

The strong electricity from the lightning follows this path through the lightning arrester and heads down to the ground. Along the way, there's a part called the nonlinear resistor. As the lightning's energy flows through it, the resistor gets warm. This warming up helps it absorb the lightning's energy.

Benefits and Importance of Lightning Arresters

The presence of lightning arresters provides a number of benefits that greatly contribute to operational safety and stability. Here are several significant advantages:

• Preventing Damage to Electrical and Electronics Systems: Lightning arresters act as guardians for electrical and electronic systems, shielding them from the destructive impact of lightning surges. By offering a safe pathway for lightning's powerful energy, these devices prevent equipment from getting damaged or malfunctioning due to sudden electrical spikes

• Enhancing the Safety of Structures and Personnel: Lightning arresters protect structures, whether they are houses, offices, or industrial sites. These devices divert lightning energy away from structures, lowering the risk of fires, explosions, and structural damage. Furthermore, the increased safety extends to the individuals within these structures, protecting them from potential lightning strikes.

• Minimising Downtime and Operational Losses: When lightning surges damage electrical systems, the aftermath can lead to costly downtime and operational disruptions. Lightning arresters play a vital role in preventing such incidents by swiftly guiding lightning's energy away from critical systems. This translates to minimise downtime and reduced losses in terms of productivity and revenue.

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In conclusion, lightning arresters are the unsung heroes that safeguard our buildings, machines, and lives from the fierce power of lightning. With their various types and operational mechanisms, these protectors ensure that when nature's sparky displays light up the sky, we can rest assured that our structures and systems remain safe and sound. By preventing damage, enhancing safety, and minimising downtime, lightning arresters truly shine as essential components of modern safety measures, allowing us to weather storms without fear.