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Title: Advanced metal oxide varistor concepts. Final report

Abstract

Zinc oxide varistors are ZnO-based ceramic semiconductor devices with highly nonlinear current-voltage characteristics similar to back-to-back Zener diodes but with much greater current, voltage, and energy-handling capabilities. Zinc oxide varistors have proven useful in a variety of applications, particularly as high-quality voltage suppression devices for the protection of ac and dc electric power transmission systems against the effects of transient overvoltages due to switching surges and lightning strikes. In the work described in this report, we have chosen to study simple varistor systems that use Bi or Pr as the varistor-forming additive and Co or Mn as the varistor-performance ingredient. Commercial varistor materials generally use Bi as the varistor-forming ingredient, and the sintering process in such material probably proceeds in the liquid phase. Varistor materials that use Pr as the varistor-forming ingredient are also produced commercially. However, owing to the high melting point of Pr/sub 2/O/sub 3/ compared to Bi/sub 2/O/sub 3/, sintering in these materials probably takes place in the solid state. The performance ingredients Co and Mn are present in almost all commercial mixes. Co is an interesting choice because it is known to introduce a deep level into ZnO, giving such varistors a green color.

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (USA). Research and Development Center
OSTI Identifier:
6506142
Report Number(s):
ORNL/Sub-84-17457/1
ON: DE84016677
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-84OR21400
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION; OVERVOLTAGE; ELECTRICAL TRANSIENTS; SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES; VOLTAGE REGULATORS; ZINC OXIDES; SEMICONDUCTOR RESISTORS; CURRENTS; ELECTRIC POWER; ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT; NONLINEAR PROBLEMS; SURGES; CHALCOGENIDES; EQUIPMENT; OXIDES; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; POWER; RESISTORS; SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; TRANSIENTS; VOLTAGE DROP; ZINC COMPOUNDS; 200300* - Electric Power Engineering- Power Transmission & Distribution- (-1989)

Citation Formats

Philipp, H R, Mahan, G D, and Levinson, L M. Advanced metal oxide varistor concepts. Final report. United States: N. p., 1984. Web.
Philipp, H R, Mahan, G D, & Levinson, L M. Advanced metal oxide varistor concepts. Final report. United States.
Philipp, H R, Mahan, G D, and Levinson, L M. 1984. "Advanced metal oxide varistor concepts. Final report". United States.
@article{osti_6506142,
title = {Advanced metal oxide varistor concepts. Final report},
author = {Philipp, H R and Mahan, G D and Levinson, L M},
abstractNote = {Zinc oxide varistors are ZnO-based ceramic semiconductor devices with highly nonlinear current-voltage characteristics similar to back-to-back Zener diodes but with much greater current, voltage, and energy-handling capabilities. Zinc oxide varistors have proven useful in a variety of applications, particularly as high-quality voltage suppression devices for the protection of ac and dc electric power transmission systems against the effects of transient overvoltages due to switching surges and lightning strikes. In the work described in this report, we have chosen to study simple varistor systems that use Bi or Pr as the varistor-forming additive and Co or Mn as the varistor-performance ingredient. Commercial varistor materials generally use Bi as the varistor-forming ingredient, and the sintering process in such material probably proceeds in the liquid phase. Varistor materials that use Pr as the varistor-forming ingredient are also produced commercially. However, owing to the high melting point of Pr/sub 2/O/sub 3/ compared to Bi/sub 2/O/sub 3/, sintering in these materials probably takes place in the solid state. The performance ingredients Co and Mn are present in almost all commercial mixes. Co is an interesting choice because it is known to introduce a deep level into ZnO, giving such varistors a green color.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6506142}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984},
month = {Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984}
}

Technical Report:
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