Surge voltage arrester with spark gaps and voltage-dependent resistors

摘要

A surge voltage arrester contains a series circuit arrangement of spark gaps and voltage-dependent resistors. The voltage-dependent resistors include a semi-conductive material having an exponent &agr; of voltage dependence which is at least 10. The surge voltage arrester makes it possible to manufacture high-capacity surge voltage arresters with spark gaps exhibiting a very simple construction. This effect is based on the fact that the voltage-dependent resistors assume the actual arrester function and the spark gap, therefore, are essentially only used for switching the arrester on and off. The arrester is particularly suitable for application in networks for electrical power distribution.