Abstract
WHEN a lightning flash takes place near overhead lines, it starts an impulsive rush of electricity in them which, unless it is diverted in its path, may damage or even smash costly machinery with which it is connected. Electricians, first in connexion with communication circuits and afterwards in connexion with power transmission circuits, have sought for many years for a substance which is an insulator at the working pressure but at high pressures is a conductor. Connecting a cylinder of this substance between an overhead conductor and earth does not interfere with the ordinary working of the line, but when a surge of electricity raises the pressure the conducting power of the substance leads the surge safely to earth and so protects the machinery. These devices were formerly called 'lightning arresters' but are now known as surge diverters.
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Thyrite Surge Diverter. Nature 141, 130 (1938). https://doi.org/10.1038/141130a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/141130a0