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Lightning Arrester

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Core Role
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Lightning Arrester Solutions for Reliable Medium-Voltage Distribution Protection

Protect transformers, overhead feeders, cable terminations, and medium-voltage equipment from damaging lightning and switching surges.

METO combines polymer-housed metal-oxide surge arresters with project-specific selection support, application guidance, technical documentation, and flexible supply for new-build and grid-upgrade projects.

A lightning strike does not need to hit a transformer directly to create damage. Induced surges can travel along overhead conductors, enter cable transitions, stress insulation, flash over bushings, and shorten the life of connected equipment. A correctly selected and correctly installed surge arrester creates a controlled path for surge current to ground, then returns to a high-resistance state after the transient.

What the Solution Protects

A complete lightning arrester solution supports insulation coordination across the distribution network—from transformers and feeders to cable transitions and renewable collection systems.

METO lightning arrester solutions can be applied to:

Distribution transformers
Overhead feeders
Cable transitions

Substation & industrial equipment
Switchgear and feeder exits
Bus-connected equipment

Solar PV collector circuits
Onshore wind MV circuits
Grid-upgrade projects

The result is stronger insulation coordination, fewer surge-related failures, and a more resilient distribution system.

Power Utilities & Cooperatives

Protect pole-mounted transformers, feeder equipment, line-to-cable transitions, and exposed distribution assets across urban, suburban, and rural networks.

Typical utility applications include:

Pole-mounted transformers
Feeder equipment and line taps
Sectionalizing points
Line-to-cable transitions
Exposed distribution assets

Standardized arrester configurations can simplify approved-material lists, spares, field replacement, and multi-site procurement, while project-specific creepage and mounting options address local conditions.

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Solar PV & Onshore Wind

Medium-voltage collector circuits can combine long cable runs, overhead sections, exposed equipment, and switching events that increase surge risk.

A coordinated arrester plan helps protect:

Transformer terminals
Feeder exits
Cable transitions
Critical collection-system interfaces
Generation and MV assets

Coordinated protection at key interfaces helps reduce surge stress on costly generation and collection-system equipment.

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Industrial & EPC Projects

Remote substations and outdoor distribution systems often operate in dust, contamination, heat, humidity, or corrosive conditions where an outage can stop production.

METO can support:

Industrial, mining, and oil & gas facilities
EPC contractors and grid-upgrade projects
Electrical distributors and OEM buyers
Tender submittals and documentation packages
Agreed markings, packaging, and accessories

Convert one-line diagrams and tender clauses into a coordinated product submittal. Early confirmation of ratings, drawings, test evidence, accessories, packing, and delivery milestones reduces technical queries and late-stage substitutions.

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MTLA10 Series Polymer Lightning Arrester

The METO MTLA10 platform is a 10kV-class, polymer-housed metal-oxide surge arrester for outdoor medium-voltage distribution applications. The published configuration combines zinc oxide varistor elements, a weather-resistant silicone rubber housing, an aluminum mounting bracket, and a disconnector arrangement.

How a metal-oxide lightning arrester works:

Normal operation: high resistance with minimal leakage current
Surge event: ZnO elements become conductive and divert surge current
Recovery: returns to high resistance after the transient

Available creepage options support adaptation to different service environments. Selection should be based on the highest continuous phase-to-ground voltage and temporary overvoltage—not nominal system voltage alone.

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A Complete Protection Solution — Not Just a Product

Reliable surge protection depends on the relationship between the power system, the protected equipment, the arrester, the mounting point, and the grounding path.

METO structures the solution around five coordinated decisions:

Define the system: voltage, frequency, grounding, fault duration, TOV
Coordinate insulation: protective level vs equipment withstand
Match surge duty: lightning exposure, switching duty, discharge current
Engineer the installation: lead length, mounting, clearances, grounding
Confirm documentation: model, tests, drawings, packaging, tender submittal

Customers can provide system data, single-line diagrams, specifications, or target models. Our team will review the requirements and help determine a suitable arrester package.

Why Work with METO?

Transmission and Distribution Focus

METO develops and supplies meter sockets, load centers, fuse cutouts, surge arresters, polymer insulators, disconnect switches, transformers, and related distribution products.

Manufacturing Experience Since 2009

Continuous development of power-distribution and overhead-line equipment for international markets.

Global Project Support

Exports to more than 40 countries, with experience in markets using ANSI, IEEE, and IEC requirements.

Technical Documentation

Product drawings, test documentation, and tender-support materials can be defined around the exact offered model and project scope.

OEM/ODM Flexibility

Agreed markings, accessories, labels, packaging, and product configurations can be reviewed for distributors, utilities, and project buyers.

Installation Guidance

Support for lead length, grounding path, clearances, creepage, and insulation-coordination essentials on site.

Whether you are protecting one transformer bank or standardizing equipment across a distribution program, METO can help turn your system data into an application-matched arrester package. Send your project specification, single-line diagram, quantity, and delivery destination to start the technical review.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a lightning arrester?

A lightning arrester, commonly called a surge arrester in power-system standards, is a protective device connected between a phase conductor and ground. It limits transient overvoltage by diverting surge current, helping protect insulation and equipment.

Is a lightning arrester the same as a low-voltage SPD?

They serve a related purpose but are selected under different voltage classes, standards, construction rules, and application methods. The METO solution on this page addresses medium-voltage power circuits above 1 kV, not plug-in or panel-mounted low-voltage SPDs.

How do I select the arrester rated voltage?

Start with the maximum continuous phase-to-ground voltage, grounding method, and temporary overvoltage profile. Then verify TOV capability, protective level, discharge duty, and insulation coordination. Nominal system voltage alone is not enough.

What is MCOV or Uc?

MCOV (maximum continuous operating voltage), often expressed as Uc in IEC terminology, is the highest power-frequency voltage that may be continuously applied across the arrester under specified conditions. It is a critical selection input.

Where should a surge arrester be installed?

Install it as close as practical to the equipment terminal or transition point being protected, using short and direct line and ground connections. Common locations include transformer primary terminals, feeder structures, cable riser poles, and substation feeder exits.

Does one arrester protect an entire three-phase line?

A typical installation uses an arrester for each phase at the protected location. Additional locations may be required because traveling waves, line length, cable transitions, equipment placement, and grounding affect the protection level.

Why choose a polymer-housed arrester?

Polymer housings can reduce weight, simplify handling, and provide good outdoor performance when the housing material, sealing, creepage distance, mechanical design, and electrical ratings are matched to the service environment.

What information does METO need for a quotation?

Provide system voltage, maximum voltage, frequency, grounding method, fault duration, protected equipment and insulation level, site environment, required standard, mounting and accessory needs, documentation requirements, quantity, destination, and delivery schedule.

Talk to a Lightning Arrester Solution Specialist