Surge arresters are designed as what type of devices?

Surge arresters are designed primarily as voltage limiting devices. Their main function is to protect electrical equipment from voltage surges caused by factors such as lightning strikes or switching transients. When a surge occurs, the arrester diverts the excess voltage away from sensitive components, thereby preventing damage. By clamping the voltage to a safe level, surge arresters ensure that the electrical system operates within its specified voltage ratings.

While current limiting devices aim to restrict the flow of current to a certain level, surge arresters do not limit current; instead, they handle surges in voltage. Electrical isolation devices serve to separate circuits to prevent current flow, which is not the role of surge arresters. Short-circuit protection devices are designed to interrupt current flow under fault conditions but do not specifically address voltage spikes or surges in the way that surge arresters do. Thus, recognizing surge arresters as voltage limiting devices is crucial for understanding their protective function in electrical systems.