Which type of surge protection device discharges or bypasses surge current?

The type of surge protection device that discharges or bypasses surge current is the surge arrester. Surge arresters are specifically designed to protect electrical systems from voltage spikes or surges, which can occur due to lightning strikes, power fluctuations, or other transient events. They work by providing a low-resistance path for the surge current to flow through, effectively diverting it away from sensitive electronic components and equipment.

Surge arresters function by clamping the voltage to a safe level, allowing the normal current to pass through while redirecting any excess energy harmlessly to the ground. This capability is essential for safeguarding infrastructure and maintaining the functionality of electrical systems.

While fuses and circuit breakers are designed to protect against overloads and short circuits by interrupting current flow, they do not specifically address surge events in the same manner. Transformers, on the other hand, are used to change voltage levels and do not provide surge protection. Therefore, the surge arrester is the appropriate choice for discharging or bypassing surge current.