A system for transient over voltage protection of a three-phase transformer. Two surge arresters are series connected across each winding of the transformer and the center point connection of the two surge arresters is electrically connected to a middle location of the winding. Three additional surge arresters are electrically connected from each phase to ground in the case of either a delta or Y connected transformer; and/or connected from a neutral point to ground in the case of a Y connected transformer. The system allows for all of the surge arresters to be packaged as an integrated surge arrester system to minimize induced transient over voltages and high stresses on the transformer winding due to internal resonances.