Recently it is reported that many a malfunction of ELB which is represented by non-operated type ELB for an impulse wave, is caused by lightning impulse and transient ground potential rise due to nearby lightning strokes. In order to examine the cause of malfunction, 5 samples were investigated experimentally in this study. As each ELB has a different leakage current detecting circuit and wiring method, various characteristics were measured. As a result, all of them brought about malfunctions under the lightning impulse voltage less than 7 kV and the surge current less than 3 kA. Also the different aspects were measured with a polarity of injected surge and a position of MOV to protect the inner circuit of ELB. The Position and effects of protecting devices were suggested as a remedy.