What is the difference between lightning and surge arrestors, and is there any link between them?
In common parlance the terms lightning arrestor and surge arrestor are used interchangeably. A lightning arrestor may be the term most often used to designate overvoltage protectors placed on utility lines to protect transformers. They react to lightning, but not typical utility switching surges. At the entrance to a structure, you may place a lightning arrestor or a surge arrestor, which typically clamps at tighter voltage. Originally lightning arrester referred to everything from carbon blocks to spark gaps. A surge suppressor normally referred to a product containing a gas tube, metal oxide varistor (MOV), silicone avalanche diode, or a combination of these devices. Transient voltage surge suppressors (TVSS) is the large family of products containing entrance and individual circuit protectors or low voltage protection devices. Generally speaking, the terms are all mixed and matched, and just refer to a product designed to ride the active lines and route overvoltage to ground, or pro
