Protecting transmission lines from lightning and power surges
This nonfiction work traces the history, science, and practical use of lightning arresters. It explains how different devices guard insulators, control arcs, and discharge disturbances on high‑voltage lines.
In clear, accessible language, the book surveys the evolution of arresters—from horn gaps to modern electrolytic types—and how engineers manage steady stresses, traveling waves, standing waves, and surges. It shows how protection choices depend on voltage, power, and the dynamics of atmospheric disturbances.
- How arresters work to discharge static charges, impulses, and surges
- The development and comparison of multiple gap and electrolytic arresters
- Practical design considerations, such as series resistance and oil‑filled tanks
- Historical context and real‑world challenges in high‑voltage transmission
Ideal for readers of classic engineering texts and anyone curious about how power systems stay reliable in storms and during rapid load changes.