Meiden surge counter is a device to record the number of discharges experienced by a surge arrester. This surge counter can be used not only with a SORESTER (Meiden metal oxide gapless surge arrester) but also with a similar arrester of other make. The number of arrester discharges is recorded on a five-digit cyclometer which can be read through an inspection window provided on the counter. The counter operates on an incoming impulse current and therefore does not require an external power supply. The counter is compact and light in weight providing the ease for installation. Meiden surge counters are available in two types: Type VC-B which records the number of discharges on its five-digit cyclometer, and Type ZC-B1M which, in addition to the five-digit cyclometer, is provided with a mA meter to permit the leakage current monitoring.

Performance

• The counter operates on a lightning impulse current (8/20 s wave) more than 100 A.
• The counter does not miss any of multiple lightning strokes occurring at an interval of more than 0.2 second.
• The residual voltage which appears across the counter against a 10 kA impulse (8/20 s wave) is lese than 3kV. Therefore, the installation of the counter hardly affects the arrester's protective level.
  

The enclosure of Meidensha surge counter is made of hot-dip galvanised steel or stainless steel, offering a long service life.
Both Type VC-B and Type ZC-B1M surge counter have a high current withstand capability of 100kA(4/10 s wave) and a 2ms long duration current withstand capability of 100kA. For duties exceeding any of these values, heavy duty surge counters are also available.