Electrolytic Lightning Arrester

—A form of lightning arrester designed for use in high-tension circuits. It is based on the characteristic of aluminum, as an electrode in a cell with carbon or other metal combined with a suitable electrolyte, of letting current flow freely in one direction but not in the opposite direction, while if both plates were of aluminum the action of the device becomes similar to that of the safety valve on a steam boiler. The arrester adapted from these characteristics consists of a large number of aluminum plates a embled in tray form, insulated from each other, and all containing the electrolyte, and the whole enclosed in a stoneware jar. e