What’s the Difference Between an Arrester Discharge Counter Tester and a Zinc Oxide Arrester Tester? How to Choose？

In power systems, surge arresters protect transformers, switchgear, and other equipment from lightning and switching overvoltages. To ensure their reliable performance, professional testing instruments are often required. Two commonly used devices are the Arrester Discharge Counter Tester and the Zinc Oxide Arrester Tester. Although both are used in arrester inspections, they differ significantly in function and application.

1. Differences in Function and Test Items

2. Application Scenarios

• Arrester Discharge Counter Tester
  Suitable for routine inspections, quick on-site checks, or acceptance testing of new installations, ensuring the counter is correctly installed and functions reliably.

• Zinc Oxide Arrester Tester
  Primarily used for maintenance and troubleshooting. During annual preventive tests or fault diagnosis, it measures leakage current and other indicators to assess whether the arrester has issues such as moisture ingress, aging, or breakdown.

3. How to Choose

• Need to quickly verify a discharge counter → Choose the Arrester Discharge Counter Tester for its portability and simple operation.

• Need a full assessment of arrester performance → Choose the Zinc Oxide Arrester Tester, which provides complete electrical characteristic data, ideal for maintenance teams or laboratories.

• For large substations or professional service units, it’s recommended to use both: start with the counter tester for routine patrols, then use the zinc oxide tester for in-depth evaluation, creating a complete maintenance system.

Conclusion
The Arrester Discharge Counter Tester and Zinc Oxide Arrester Tester are not substitutes but complementary tools for different testing objectives. When purchasing, users should consider their actual testing needs, maintenance schedule, and budget to select the right device—or a combination of both—to better ensure the safe and stable operation of power systems.