In order to create a surge arrester (1) having at least an insulation gap (2) and an arc chamber which is formed between two electrodes (4, 6) and is connected in series with said insulation gap, wherein at least one electrically conductive disc (7) is arranged in the arc chamber, in which a system with only as far as possible one insulation gap, in particular spark gap, and therefore a corresponding response behaviour is provided, which system has a follow current extinction capacity of a multiple spark gap, it is proposed that an annular housing (8) is arranged between the electrodes (4, 6) so as to establish contact, said housing surrounding the disc (7) and being composed of a material which is electrically conductive in the high-impedance range, wherein the disc (7) is arranged with play between the electrodes (4, 6).