SPARK GAP TRANSIENT VOLTAGE SUPPRESSOR AND METHOD OF MAKING SPARK GAP TRANSIENT VOLTAGE SUPPRESSOR

摘要

A transient overvoltage protection device includes two lead assemblies (34, 44) in a glass sleeve cartridge (20) and separated by a non-conductive, non-carbonizing material (60) to provide a microgap (50). The spacing material is preferably a powder of ceramic or glass having a particle size corresponding to the selected gap width, and is applied so that a single layer of powder establishes the microgap. The glass sleeve (20) is attached directly to the leads by heating the glass to the softening point to cause it to adhere to the leads. A low ionization potential gas may be trapped within the sleeve to achieve specific arcing characteristics. The invention includes a method for making an overvoltage protecting device in accordance with the invention.