Device for indicating the short-circuiting of a lightning arrester

An indicator for marking the short-circuit condition of a lightning arrester wherein the lightning arrester includes an insulated element which normally separtes a first electrode from a second electrode but which allows the first and second electrodes to be electrically connected to dissipate high current voltage and thereafter be electrically insulated from one another and wherein the second electrode includes inner and outer surfaces, the indicator comprising an elastically yieldable strip means having first and second ends, means for securing said first end of said strip means to said outer surface of the second electrode, an opening through said second electrode, retaining pin means carried by said strip means adjacent said second end thereof, said retaining pin means normally extending through said opening so that said second end of said strip means is in engagement with the outer surface of the second electrode, retention means mounted within the second electrode, said retention means normally being in engagement with said retaining pin means, said retention means including means responsive to continuation current between said first electrode and said second electrode so as to disengage said retention means from said retaining pin means whereby said second end of said strip means moves outwardly away from said second electrode to thereby give a visual indication of a short-circuit condition.