Features of Polymer Lightning Arrester
- It has a metal oxide varistor to change the resistance value and safely conduct the surge current to the ground.
- The polymer housings of polymer lightning arresters are combined with the inner insulating tube and will not explode.
- Use advanced materials such as silicone rubber, epoxy composite materials and hydrophobic polymers.
- Excellent weather resistance, anti-pollution ability and UV resistance.
- It can last 20 years or longer with almost no maintenance.
Polymer Lightning Arresters Manufacturer in China
ZhongShao Electrical Incorporated Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer of power system solutions. Polymer lightning arresters are one of our qualitative products. All of our polymer lightning arresters are made of advanced materials and have excellent durability, safety, and flexibility. We make high-quality polymer enclosures to enhance the arresters’ resistance to moisture, ultraviolet radiation and pollution, protecting your electrical lines or equipment from any damage from lightning strikes. If you have any ideas, never hesitate to contact us.
This is a high-voltage protection device to protect electrical equipment from lightning strikes.
Our arrester has a polymer housing to provide excellent insulation and strong resistance to moisture and UV exposure.
It uses advanced metal oxide varistor technology for fast response and effective energy absorption.
Dependable surge protection, fast response, and effective energy absorption during surges.
Our polymer arrester provides higher-standard safety due to its non-shattering nature and requires minimal maintenance.
It is lightweight and easy to install to provide fast response and reliable protection for transformers and switchgears.
Suitable for distribution lines, transformers, and switchgear, it ensures reliable protection and excellent performance.
This arrester protects power system equipment from lightning and overvoltage for modern voltage protection applications.
What is a Polymer Lightning Arrester?
Lightning is a random and unpredictable phenomenon. Approximately 100 lightning strikes occur on the Earth’s surface every second, which may lead to various damage or disasters. Therefore, arresters are vital in prevention. A lightning arrester is also a surge arrester, which is the most advanced overvoltage protector nowadays, designed to divert the lightning and regulate the voltage to protect the equipment installed in parallel. It protects electrical systems from the effects of lightning strikes or voltage surges caused by other high-voltage transients, suitable for power generation, transmission, transformation and distribution systems with a voltage of 220kV and below. To achieve this purpose, it introduces overvoltage to the grounding wire to prevent damage to the connected electrical equipment.
A polymer lightning arrester is an arrester that is made of polymer, which has more advantages than traditional porcelain lightning arresters, such as lighter weight, better flexibility and moisture resistance. ZhongShao Electrical Incorporated Co., Ltd. customizes various kinds of arresters, and the polymer lightning arrester is one of our featured products. If you have any relevant questions, feel free to contact us.
Polymer Lightning Arrester Operation Principle
Arresters always have a high-voltage terminal and a grounding terminal. They divert and conduct the surge current to the ground when a lightning surge travels along the power lines to the lightning arresters.
The core component of a lightning arrester is a Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) sheet made mainly of zinc oxide (ZnO), which exhibits extremely excellent nonlinear voltage-current characteristics (the resistance value of the component is not fixed; It will change intelligently and drastically in response to the level of applied voltage). The Metal Oxide Varistor displays extremely high resistance, but once a lightning strike or overvoltage occurs during operation, its resistance drops sharply, turning it into an excellent conductor, and instantly releasing an impact current of several thousand amperes, thus limiting the overvoltage to a safe level that the equipment can withstand and protecting the equipment. When the voltage returns to normal, the resistance automatically returns to an extremely high state, without the need for manual intervention.
Of course, the operation also needs to be completed under proper conditions. Polymer surge arresters are applicable to areas with an altitude not exceeding 2000 meters, an environmental temperature ranging from -40℃ to 40℃, a maximum wind speed not higher than 35 meters per second, and a seismic intensity not exceeding 7 degrees. Their power frequency can be 50Hz or 60Hz, and the continuous power frequency voltage applied between their terminals must not exceed their continuous operating voltage.
Compared to traditional porcelain lightning arresters, the polymer lightning arresters have an extra explosion-proof safety mechanism. The polymer housing is a flexible material and is combined with the inner insulating tube. In case of a fault, the internal pressure will cause the jacket to tear longitudinally or bulge, but it will not explode, thus avoiding secondary injuries caused by flying fragments.
Polymer Lightning Arrester Advantages
Polymer lightning arresters are gradually replacing traditional arresters because of their multiple advantages. Know these advantages, and you can understand why they are so welcomed today.
Durability
Polymer lightning arresters have excellent weather-resistant properties. Their polymer enclosures are good at resisting moisture, ultraviolet radiation, pollination, mechanical contaminates, and pollution, which ensures their durability even in severe environments.
Safety
Polymer lightning arresters are safer because the polymer doesn’t explode, and they have good mechanical stability, which means they can resist wind force and vibration steadily, and reduce the mechanical load of equipment.
Light-Weight
Polymer enclosures are lighter than porcelain and metal enclosures, which makes installation, transportation and maintenance easy, and reduces the requirement for structural support.
Hydrophobic
The housings of polymer lightning arresters are hydrophobic (which means water will form droplets on the surface of the material instead of spreading out to form a continuous water film), so in outdoor environments that are humid and contaminated (such as by salt fog or industrial dust), polymer lightning arresters can significantly reduce the surface leakage current and pollution.
Flexibility
The silicone rubber enclosures of polymer lightning arresters can be shaped into various appearances and sizes, and they are lighter and more compact than traditional porcelain lightning arresters. This flexible structure also makes polymer lightning arresters easier to install, saving time and labor costs.
Environmentally Friendly
The polymer materials are more environmentally friendly than materials that are used in traditional lightning arresters, which accommodates the trend of sustainable development.
The main component is silicon, so the energy consumption and carbon emissions are low during production, and their metal parts (such as aluminum, copper) are easy to recycle.
Maintenance
Polymer lightning arresters need almost no maintenance due to their excellent durability, so the maintenance cost is low.
Polymer Lightning Arrester Applications
Electric Line
Polymer lightning arresters are typically installed on electric lines to protect them from lightning strikes. They discharge the huge lightning current into the ground, limit the overvoltage on the line, and protect the line insulators and expensive equipment such as transformers and switches from damage, ensuring a continuous power supply.
Transformer Substation
In a transformer substation, polymer lightning arresters are used to protect transformers, busbars, circuit breakers, switchers and electrical cables from surge impacts that could cause catastrophic failures.
Industrial Facility
The electrical systems of industrial facilities (such as factories, petrochemical plants, and mines) are complex, and the environment there is hostile, full of pollution, corrosion, space constraints, or the risk of fire and explosion. Polymer lightning arresters can provide multi-level protection, such as preventing direct lightning strikes and overvoltages transmitted through the power grid.
Renewable Energy System
In renewable energy systems, a polymer lightning arrester also plays an important role. Some equipment is vulnerable to lightning strikes, such as solar power plants and wind turbines. Wind turbines are highly vulnerable to lightning strikes due to their tall structures and high-value equipment, and the DC side voltage of the photovoltaic system is high and the equipment is exposed outdoors, which increases the risk of lightning strikes. Polymer lightning arresters can protect them and reduce the risk of damage to expensive power generation equipment, lower the unplanned downtime caused by lightning strikes, and ensure the quality of grid-connected power. For example, offshore wind farms rely on polymer lightning arresters to protect submarine cables and related substations.
DC(Data Centre)
The power distribution system in the data center is highly concentrated, and a failure or explosion of the lightning arrester can lead to server equipment damage and casualties. Polymer lightning arresters are very important in protecting sophisticated electronic equipment inside data centers and ensuring their operation time.
How to Choose a Suitable Polymer Lightning Arrester?
When choosing a polymer lightning, multiple factors need to be taken into account. Here is a list to help you make a choice. If you are still not sure, our professional teams are always welcoming your quote.
Application
Different applications require different types of polymer lightning arrester, so the first step is to confirm your electrical system’s voltage level and the specific components that need protection. The Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV), rated voltage, and rated discharge current need to be decided.
Protection Level
Polymer lightning arresters with a lower discharge voltage (discharge voltage means the actual voltage across its two ends when the lightning arrester starts to operate and discharge the impulse current) have better protection performance, so it’s better to choose a lower-rated discharge voltage type, which can effectively protect equipment from overvoltage damage.
Material
High-quality and durable polymer materials (such as high-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber, Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer, Teflon, etc.) can withstand a more severe environment. ZhongShao Electrical Incorporated Co., Ltd. always provides test reports and on-site experiences to prove the quality of the materials, so you can always believe our quality.
Moisture Resistance
Humidity can lead to performance degradation and premature failure of the polymer lightning arrester, so the moisture resistance is very important, especially in humid areas.
Failure Mode
A good polymer lightning arrester should be equipped with a fail-safe mode to deal with unexpected failures. Polymer lightning arresters made by ZhongShao Electrical Incorporated Co., Ltd. have advanced fail-safe modes, and we always provide a certification test report.
Standard
Polymer lightning arresters must comply with relevant local or international standards (such as IEC 60099-4 and IEEE C62.11) to ensure their safety and ability. ZhongShao polymer lightning arresters have authorized certifications that ensure the safety and quality.
Energy Absorption Capability
Applications for critical systems and areas with frequent lightning activities have a higher demand for energy ratings, so if you want to install polymer lightning arresters in these areas, the energy absorption capability is also a key factor to be considered.
Cost
The initial cost of high-quality polymer lightning may be high, but in the long run, it will save you a significant amount of money.
The Difference Between Polymer Lightning Arresters and Porcelain Lightning Arresters
| Polymer Lightning Arresters | Porcelain Lightning Arresters | |
| Safety | Polymer is more flexible and not easy to break. | Porcelain is more fragile than polymer. An overload may lead to the splashing fragments, posing a significant risk to the nearby equipment and personnel. |
| Weight | Lighter. | Heavier and harder, and need more sturdy support. |
| Durability | Not prone to damage or cracking. Have better durability to withstand mechanical stress and vibrations. | Porcelain is easier to break, which affects its durability. |
| Maintenance | It has a lower maintenance cost due to its better durability. | Need more frequent maintenance because porcelain is easier to break. |
Driving Factors of Polymer Lightning Arrester Market 
Polymer lightning arresters are gradually replacing porcelain lightning arresters because of their better properties. The global market size of polymer lightning arresters in 2024 is $904.8 million. The polymer lightning arresters market is expected to reach $1 billion by 2025 and is projected to reach $16 billion by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%.
Except for the properties of the polymer lightning arrester itself, there are also lots of factors that promote the development of the polymer lightning arrester market.
Modernization of the Power Grid
Nowadays, more and more old infrastructures are upgraded or replaced to meet the demands for higher transmission capacity and the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources. Governments and private enterprises around the world are investing heavily in upgrading and expanding power grids in order to meet the growing energy demands. The large-scale electrification projects in developing countries have accelerated the installation of polymer lightning arresters.
Advanced Technology
The development of manufacturing technologies means a higher quality of the polymer lightning arrester, which promotes its market. Better materials, such as silicone rubber, epoxy composite materials and hydrophobic polymers, are coming into use, enhancing polymer lightning arresters’ weather resistance, anti-pollution ability and UV resistance. At the same time, the zinc oxide varistor and lightweight polymer enclosures provide a superior nonlinear resistance and mechanical strength, leading more companies to choose polymer lightning arresters. Integrating intelligent technology into surge protection systems is also becoming an important trend.
Renewable Energy Sources Requirement
Polymer lightning arresters cater to the sustainable development theme nowadays, because they are environmentally friendly and sustainable. As we have proposed in the advantages part, polymer lightning arresters are widely applied in renewable energy systems to ensure uninterrupted power transmission. The latest statistics show that annual investment in renewable energy is expected to exceed several hundred billion dollars, which would largely drive the demand for polymer lightning arresters.
Laws and Regulations
As awareness of electrical safety among consumers and enterprises grows, many local and international organizations prioritize security and compliance, and more regulations concerning electrical safety and infrastructure reliability stipulate that companies must use the polymer lightning arrester, which promotes the development of its market.
Polymer lightning arresters require less maintenance than traditional arresters, but it is still suggestable to visually inspect for any physical damage, contamination or signs of weathering regularly. The electrical performance of the lightning arresters also needs to be checked.
Yes. Actually, polymer lightning arresters are especially designed for outdoor use, usually installed on utility poles, iron towers and substations. They have good properties to resist ultraviolet radiation, extreme temperatures and pollution, perfectly appropriate for the outdoor environment.
Usually, a polymer lightning arrester can last for 20 years or longer, depending on its quality and the environment.
You can test the performance of polymer lightning arresters by insulation resistance tests, leakage current measurements, monitoring body temperature and physiological conditions, and tests of surge discharge in a controlled environment. ZhongShao Electrical Incorporated Co., Ltd. provides test services for you and gives you the complete testing report, so if you want such a service, just contact us.
When choosing a polymer lightning arrester manufacturer, you can consider its technical qualifications and industry certifications, core technological strength, engineering application capabilities and solutions, long-term operating performance, supply chain and after-sales service and cost performance. ZhongShao Electrical Incorporated Co., Ltd. is a professional polymer lightning arrester manufacturer that has advanced technologies and experienced manufacturing teams. We have excellent after-sales service and our qualifications can stand up to scrutiny. We are always waiting for your quote!
Yes. The polymer casing and the metal oxide varistor can both be recycled, but the entire recycling process needs to be carried out by professional institutions to ensure safety and environmental protection.
