An electrical module assembly used in a surge arrester is manufactured by wrapping an electrical module assembly including at least one metal oxide varistor (MOV) disk to which a reinforcing structure including a pre-impregnated epoxy/glass-fiber composite has been applied with shrink film and compacting the wrapped electrical module assembly by heating the shrink film such that the shrink film shrinks and applies a radially compressive force to the electrical module assembly. The wrapped electrical module assembly then is cured at a temperature at which the shrink film no longer applies a compressive force.