5 Common Surge Arrester Failures and How to Diagnose Them
When it comes to protecting power systems from lightning and switching surges, surge arresters are your first line of defense. However, like all electrical devices, they can degrade or fail over time — especially under harsh operating conditions in renewable energy systems, substations, or transmission networks. Understanding the common surge arrester failures and knowing how to diagnose them early can prevent costly downtime, equipment damage, and potential safety hazards. Let’s break down the five most common causes of surge arrester failure — and what you can do about them.