News Background
According to a May 2024 report in The Times of India, severe pre-monsoon thunderstorms have caused massive power outages across northern India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Lightning strikes triggered multiple 400kV transmission line failures and damaged equipment at several crucial substations. Power department officials indicated that voltage surges caused by lightning strikes were the primary reason for the blackout, with full restoration expected to take 12-24 hours.
The Growing Challenge for Power Grids
Every monsoon season, power grids across India and Southeast Asia face severe challenges. When lightning strikes transmission lines or nearby areas, it generates extremely high transient overvoltages. These voltage surges travel along conductors and can ultimately break down the insulation of expensive equipment like transformers and circuit breakers, causing permanent damage.
The recent large-scale blackout in northern India highlights the insufficiency of traditional lightning protection methods. Conventional lightning rods only protect against direct strikes but are ineffective against the more common induced lightning surges and switching overvoltages. This is precisely why modern power grids must be equipped with high-performance Zinc Oxide Arresters.
Zinc Oxide Arresters: The Precision “Surge Absorbers” for Power Systems
Unlike simple lightning rods, Zinc Oxide Arresters are precision protection devices connected in parallel at critical grid nodes. Their core consists of zinc oxide resistor discs with unique “smart” protective characteristics:
- During normal operation: Exhibit extremely high resistance with minimal energy loss
- During overvoltage events: Transition to low resistance within nanoseconds, diverting massive surge currents to ground
- After surge dissipation: Automatically return to high resistance state, ready for normal operation
Our Comprehensive Solutions
We offer complete protection solutions tailored to different grid applications:
- Full Voltage Range Coverage: From distribution level (0.22kV-36kV) to transmission level (72kV-550kV), up to the highest standard UHV 800kV-1000kV products, meeting all grid requirements.
- Dual Housing Technology:
- Porcelain-Housed Arresters: Deliver exceptional mechanical strength and long-term stability, ideal for traditional substations
- Silicone Rubber Composite-Housed Arresters: Lightweight with excellent explosion-proof performance and superior hydrophobicity, particularly suitable for polluted coastal and industrial areas
- Complete Component Support:
- Core components: Zinc Oxide Resistor Discs, Silicon Carbide Resistor Discs
- Monitoring equipment: Discharge Counters
- Installation accessories: NEMA Mounting Brackets, Custom Brackets
- Safety devices: Disconnectors
Why Choose Our Arresters?
- Gap-Free Design: Faster response, more reliable protection
- Exceptional Energy Absorption Capacity: Withstands multiple lightning strikes
- Low Protection Level: Provides safer voltage environment for protected equipment
- 30+ Year Design Life: Matches grid equipment lifespan, reducing replacement costs
Industry Applications
- Power plant step-up stations and switchyards
- Lightning-prone sections of transmission lines
- Urban substations and distribution networks
- Power intake points for industrial users
As extreme weather events increase globally, lightning protection for power grids is no longer an optional expense but a necessary investment in power supply reliability. Choosing proven high-performance Zinc Oxide Arresters means acquiring reliable “insurance” for your power system.
Take Action Today
Whether you need UHV Arresters for new transmission projects, lightning protection upgrades for existing grids, or reliable arrester components, we provide complete solutions.
Contact us for technical documentation and project case studies. Let our professional team recommend the most suitable lightning protection solution for your power system.