Concept:
A surge arrester protects substation equipment from lightning and switching surges.
Step 1: Incoming lines may carry high voltage surges due to lightning or switching operations.
Step 2: These surges must be diverted to earth before they reach important substation equipment.
Step 3: Therefore, the surge arrester is placed very close to the incoming line.
Step 4: This arrangement protects circuit breakers, transformers, and measuring equipment.
Hence:
\[
\boxed{\text{Surge arrester}}
\]