What is the purpose of lightning arrestors and fuses in an electrical system?

The primary purpose of lightning arrestors and fuses in an electrical system is to enhance safety. Lightning arrestors are designed to protect electrical infrastructure from lightning strikes by redirecting the surge of electrical energy safely to the ground, preventing damage to equipment and reducing the risk of fires. Similarly, fuses serve as safety devices that interrupt the flow of electrical current when it exceeds a predetermined level, effectively protecting circuits from overloads and short circuits.

While minimizing customer outages is certainly a benefit of having these protective devices in place, the foundational purpose revolves around safety. By ensuring that surges and overloads do not compromise the integrity of the system, these devices safeguard not only the equipment but also the people who interact with or rely on the electrical system. This makes safety the central focus of their design and implementation.