Varistor-initiated arcs in lightning arrestor connectors
The electrical breakdown of gas-filled gaps is currently being used in Lightning Arrestor Connectors. The Lightning Arrestor Connector (LAC) is a combination connector and high-current transient suppressor where an overvoltaged signal is shunted from the connector contacts to the connector shell, thus protecting downstream circuitry. Control of the breakdown voltage is difficult, relying on electrode spacing and surface conditions, and the gas composition and pressure. The breakdown control using solid state devices such as a zener diode or a varistor would be far superior, but the current carrying capacity is greatly reduced. A varistor-initiated gas breakdown gap has been developed which has excellent breakdown control and can handle much higher currents than would be possible from the solid-state conduction of the varistor alone. The varistor-initiated arc concept involves the surface flashover of a doped sintered zinc oxide varistor. The varistor-initiated arc LAC is simple in design and easy to produce.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6618230
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-80-2457C; CONF-810510-3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
EHV & UHV-- (-1989)
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
BREAKDOWN
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
CONNECTORS
CURRENTS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FLASHOVER
FLUIDS
GASES
LIGHTNING ARRESTERS
OPERATION