Surge protection has been a primary concern when connecting devices and equipment to low-, medium-, or high-voltage electrical systems. As the use of products and equipment with components and insulation systems vulnerable to voltage surges and spikes continues to increase, the requirement for surge arresters to protect against the effects due to lightning strikes, switching phenomenon, etc., continues to increase as well. From personal computers to HV transmission and distribution systems, everything is susceptible to these surges and their destructive effects. This subject is very broad with numerous conditions to address, such that it is possible to treat only the basic aspects of selection and application in a single article. Therefore, this article will concentrate on circuits/systems 1000V and greater and is intended to provide the reader with some general guidelines for the appropriate selection and application of lightning/surge arresters.