Ecological design applied to polymer housed surge arresters

In addition to continuous improvement in technical performance and reduction in costs, an acknowledged manufacturer has to care about environmental concerns. In order to take all relevant parameters into consideration, the environmental approach must be undertaken at the earliest stages of product design. This paper presents an example of environmental management applied to the development of a new range of distribution polymer housed surge arresters, with the aim of anticipating foreseeable evolution of regulations and market requirements. Thus, an analysis of environmental impacts across entire life cycle of the surge arrester and its components (manufacture, delivery, operation and disposal) has been made. In particular, much study research on the manufacturing conditions of metal oxide varistors has been completed, leading to implementation of processes for emissions treatment (air, water, ground), recycling and revalorization of waste, able to drastically reduce environmental impacts. Besides, the design of the surge arrester has been carefully studied, both in terms of optimization of the necessary quantity and selection of the type of materials used, and in terms of constraints and opportunities for dismantling and possible recycling.