Will a Lightning Arrester a Tripping Main Circuit Power Breaker?

It is a common phenomenon to encounter the tripping of the main power circuit breaker during thunderstorms, or when using high-power equipment. However, many users have such a question: Can installing lightning arrester effectively reduce or even prevent such tripping accidents? Anyone who has a basic understanding of surge protectors and circuit breakers knows that, although surge protectors are electrical protection devices, their functions are different from those of circuit breakers. It doesn't matter if you don't understand. This article will take you to deeply understand the role of surge protectors in practical use, and explore whether they can really prevent the main circuit breaker from tripping unexpectedly.

Why Your Main Breaker Trips?

Main circuit breakers are designed to interrupt power in three major cases:

1.Overcurrent: When total load exceeds the breaker's capacity

2.Short Circuit: Fault in wiring or appliances that leads to sudden current spike

3.Ground Fault: When electricity takes an unintended path to the ground

Each of these conditions is dangerous and causes the breaker to trip as a protective response.

The True Role of a Surge Arrester

Many people misunderstand surge protectors, believing they can prevent all electrical hazards. In reality, their main functions are:

1. Absorbing or diverting high voltages caused by lightning strikes or grid switching.
2. Protecting household appliances and sensitive equipment from voltage surge damage.
3. Maintaining voltage stability to extend the lifespan of devices.

💡 Trigger Conditions: Surge arresters respond to sudden voltage changes, while circuit breakers respond to abnormal currents.

Can a Surge Arrester Prevent Tripping?

The answer is: No. The main circuit breaker trips due to excessive load, short circuit or ground fault. These problems have nothing to do with the surge protector, which is unable to prevent such tripping.

If the trip is caused by high-voltage surges, such as lightning strikes or grid fluctuations, the surge protector may absorb this part of the energy before the voltage wave reaches the circuit breaker, thereby avoiding triggering the trip.

How to Reduce Tripping Issues in Your Electrical System?

While surge protectors aren't a universal solution for breaker trips, combining them with the following practices creates a robust system:

• Install dedicated circuits for high-power equipment like air conditioners and dryers.
• Distribute electrical loads reasonably to avoid overloading a single circuit.
• Install surge protectors to ensure comprehensive coverage.
• Regularly hire a professional electrician to inspect the electrical panel and wiring.

When Should You Call an Electrician?

If your main breaker frequently trips even with a surge arrester installed, there may be deeper underlying issues, such as:

Aging breakers

Wiring errors

Hidden short circuits

In such cases, a professional electrician should be called for inspection. Surge protection is only one part of system safety.

Summary

Lightning arrester and circuit breakers play different but complementary roles in household electrical systems. Surge protectors can effectively prevent voltage surges, but they cannot stop the main circuit breaker from tripping due to overload or short circuit. To achieve a truly safe and stable power usage environment, in addition to installing high-quality surge protectors, it is also necessary to rationally wire, balance the load, and regularly maintain the power system.

Interested in protecting your electrical system with YRO's premium lightning arrester? Contact our team to learn more or request a quote.