ESE Lightning Arrester vs Conventional Lightning Arrester: Which One is Better for Your Project

 Lightning protection is a critical requirement for industrial facilities, infrastructure projects, and most importantly, for commercial complexes. That’s where selecting the right lightning arrester comes in. This selection can significantly influence safety, compliance, and long-term reliability. 


Conventional lightning arresters and ESE (Early Streamer Emission) lightning arresters are the two primary solutions taking over the market. In this blog, we will understand the difference between these two solutions and their integration with surge protection devices (SPDs), which is essential for project decision-making.



Conventional Lightning Arrester

A conventional lightning arrester works by offering a direct low-impedance path to safely discharge lightning currents into the ground. Its coverage radius is restricted, but this is largely used. 


Coverage: for localized areas and small structures. 

System design: multiple arresters for a wider area, which increases complexity. 

Use case: small commercial units, residential buildings, etc. 


ESE Lightning Arresters

The ESE lightning arrester incorporates advanced triggering technology that emits an early streamer to intercept lightning strikes before they can cause damage. This offers protection to larger radius areas. 


Coverage: offers protection to a larger area than multiple conventional units.

Installation: less cabling, fewer units, and thus less civil work required.

Cost Analysis: While the ESE lightning arrester price is higher initially, the reduced number of units and simplified installation make it cost-effective over the project lifecycle.

Use Case: Large-scale industrial plants, IT parks, airports, high-rise towers, and infrastructure projects.


A Quick Comparison

So, now we know that a conventional lightning arrester is a better option for smaller areas but needs multiple units to cover larger facilities, resulting in complex installation. While an ESE lightning arrester offers a much wider protection radius and needs fewer units, it has easy installation and also lower long-term costs.  While the upfront ESE lightning arrester price is higher, it often proves more economical for large-scale industrial and commercial projects.


Surge Protection Devices (SPD)

Lightning arresters are designed to handle the direct strikes, but they cannot prevent overvoltages induced in electrical works. That’s where SPDs come in. It offers: 

  • Protection of sensitive equipment against transient overvoltages.
  • A surge protection device type 2 is most commonly used in distribution panels as the second stage of protection, safeguarding mission-critical electrical and electronic assets.
  • System Approach: A robust lightning protection strategy integrates both lightning arresters (ESE or conventional) and SPDs for complete external and internal protection.

Final Thoughts

For larger facilities, expansive industrial areas, and multi-story commercial projects, the ESE lightning arrester offers superior protection, is affordable for long-term benefits, and helps in reducing complexity. However, for smaller facilities with limited coverage radius, conventional lightning arresters are the most practical choice. 


At Axis, we offer lightning protection systems,  including both ESE and conventional arresters, alongside advanced SPDs, and project-based recommendations with a customized quotation on ESE lightning arrester price and surge protection systems.


So, contact us today for detailed technical guidance. 

 

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