A disconnector assembly (10) is provided for an arrester (13). A non-conductive housing (21) has first and second opposite ends (91) and (93) separated by an internal chamber (27). A first electrical terminal (12) is connected at the first end (91). A second electrical terminal (41) is connected at the second end (93). A capacitor assembly (95) engages and extends between the first and second terminals (12) and (41) in the internal chamber (27). The capacitor assembly (95) includes a capacitor (31) and a resistor (81) electrically connected in series. A sparkgap (75) is electrically parallel with the capacitor assembly (95) between the first and second terminals (12) and (41). A cartridge (51) with an explosive charge is positioned in the internal chamber (27), and the cartridge (51) is electrically parallel with the capacitor assembly (95) and electrically in series with the sparkgap (75).