Surge arresters are devices used to protect electrical equipment from lightning and switching surges. There are several types including rod arresters, horn gap arresters, multigap arresters, and modern metal oxide arresters. Surge arresters work by limiting high voltages from lightning strikes or other surges to safe levels before they reach equipment like transformers. They do this using a metal oxide varistor that acts as an insulator under normal voltages but conducts at higher surge voltages, diverting excess energy to ground. This protects equipment downstream from potential damage.