Varistor-initiated arcs in lightning arrestor connectors

Conference · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6618230

Brainard, J P; Andrews, L A; Anderson, R A

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
• Resource Relation: Conference: Electronic components conference, Atlanta, GA, USA, 11 May 1981
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
CONNECTORS
ELECTRIC ARCS
OPERATION
LIGHTNING ARRESTERS
BREAKDOWN
DESIGN
FLASHOVER
GASES
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
200301* - Power Transmission & Distribution- AC Systems
EHV & UHV- (-1989)