While often viewed as a negative phenomenon, the key beneficial effect of corona discharge is its ability to reduce the steepness of high-voltage surge fronts. When a lightning strike or switching operation causes a sudden, high-voltage surge to travel down the line, the corona effect acts as a natural relief valve. The ionized air around the conductor absorbs some of the surge energy, effectively "smoothing out" the sharp, steep wavefront of the surge. This a crucial protective function, as these steep surge fronts are particularly damaging to line insulation, insulators, and connected equipment.

By dissipating a portion of this energy, corona helps to protect the integrity of the power system, acting as an inherent surge dampening mechanism.