Porcelain surge arrestor is very vulnerable to earthquake but there is very few information on its dynamic characteristics which are necessary to the seismic design. Therefore, the dynamic characteristics of the porcelain surge arrestor are evaluated considering the variation of its cable tension and stiffness by shaking table test. The test results show that the first natural frequencies are 5.3 Hz and 5.2 Hz in the horizontal x- and y-axis directions, respectively, and higher than 30 Hz in the vertical z-axis direction, respectively. The installation of cable on the surge arrestor reduces the horizontal natural frequencies due to the constraint effect of the cable but cable tension has no effect on the natural frequency. Also, the natural frequency is proportional to the stiffness of the surge arrestor. This test result will be used for the seismic design and seismic capacity assessment of domestic substations and contribute to the stability of the electric power supply under earthquake event.