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Lightning arrester of telegraph line made from wood and Bakelite, capable of connecting two lines. It was used to protect telegraph equipment from damages due to lightning strikes to the telegraph line. At a telegraph station, the lightning arrester is located inside the electrical circuit between the telegraph line and other devices of the station, such as relays, perforators and telegraph keys. The lightning arrester provides an alternative path to the ground through an air gap where the high-voltage lightning current flows, bypassing the telegraph line. The lightning arrester could not guarantee complete protection of the telegraph station equipment, however it was established as an operational practice for protection in case of a heavy storm, in order to separate the line at risk of being struck by lightning from the telegraph station.