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what is the principle behind lightning arresters?

A lighting arrester is a piece of equipment that is designed to protect electrical systems and components from damages that can be caused by surges of electricity. Such surges can be the result of lightning or electrical switching and can be very dangerous, especially for electronics like computers. Utilities fit their power lines with lightning arresters, as well as other safety measures and these devices can also be mounted on individual electrical boxes.
When a surge of electricity hits an electrical system, it attempts to equalize and dissipate itself, taking the most efficient routes. A lightning arrester provides a path of least resistance for doing this, routing the excess electricity away from the system and into the ground where it can dissipate without doing any harm. The lighting resistor includes components attached to the electrical system with leads that reach the ground.


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