Energy handling capability of ZnO varistors

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.362484· OSTI ID:284257

Bartkowiak, M ^[1]; Comber, M G ^[2]; Mahan, G D ^[1]

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1. Solid State Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6030 (United States)
2. Hubbell Incorporated, The Ohio Brass Company, 8711 Wadsworth Road, Wadsworth, Ohio 44281 (United States)

Thermal and mechanical behavior of high power ZnO surge arresters under current pulses of various magnitude and duration is simulated. By solving heat transfer equations for a varistor disk with nonuniform electrical properties, we compute the time dependence of the temperature profile and the distribution of thermal stresses. The simulations identify failure processes and determine energy handling capability of varistor elements as a function of the applied current. The results are in good agreement with the experimental data and explain the energy handling dependence upon the surge intensity and duration. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• OSTI ID: 284257
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 79; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
42 ENGINEERING
CERAMICS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CRACKS
HEAT TRANSFER
RESISTORS
STRESSES
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
ZINC OXIDES