Discharge currents in distribution arresters

With a view to augmenting the meager data available on the discharge currents through lightning arresters on electric power distribution circuits, the investigation reported in this paper, which covered 4 power systems of various voltages and in different sections of the country, was undertaken. Over the range of circuit voltages involved in this investigation (4 to 24 kv) voltage rating seemed to have no definite influence on the discharges. More negative than positive discharges were recorded, the ratio increasing as the discharge current increased. The maximum current recorded was 17,000 amperes.