High-voltage surge arresters

Siemens Energy provides three main designs: the 3EL cage design with silicone rubber (up to 800 kV), the 3EQ composite hollow core with silicone and fiberglass, and the 3EP porcelain design for heavy-duty and seismic environments.

The cage design uses fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) rods for mechanical strength, with silicone rubber molded directly onto metal oxide varistors (MOVs). This ensures reliable sealing, prevents moisture ingress, and allows safe arc escape without ejecting internal parts in rare overload events.

Silicone rubber is highly hydrophobic, UV-resistant, fire-retardant, and self-extinguishing, ensuring reliable long-term operation and resistance to environmental contaminants.

The 3EQ surge arrester design combines a silicone housing with a fiberglass-reinforced hollow core for excellent mechanical stability and reliability. Directional pressure relief devices allow safe arc escape in overload situations, and the design is ideal for seismic zones and high-wind areas.

Porcelain surge arresters offer superior mechanical strength and are well-suited for areas with heavy seismic activity, extreme winds, or applications requiring robust support functions. They provide safe overload performance with strong, high-quality porcelain that prevents internal part ejection.

Yes, Siemens Energy's 3EL and 3EQ surge arresters are suitable for both station and line arrester applications, offering flexibility for diverse installation requirements.

Surge arresters use metal oxide varistors (MOVs) that respond within milliseconds to overvoltage events, diverting excess energy to ground while keeping voltage across equipment terminals within safe limits.

Siemens Energy's support team is available 24/7 to assist in English, Spanish, and German for product information, technical questions, and application guidance.

A high-voltage surge arrester is a grid-level protection device that limits dangerous overvoltages from lightning or switching events by diverting excess energy safely to ground, while a surge protector (SPD) is a low-voltage device installed closer to end equipment to shield electronics and loads from smaller residual or internal transients; in practice, arresters protect transmission and substation assets, and surge protectors provide the final layer of defense for downstream devices.