Abstract: This invention provides a surge absorber for absorbing surges of electric current. The absorber has a metal oxide varistor hermetically sealed in a hollow insulator by a top and a lower electrical terminal and also has a conductive rod extending substantially downwardly and electrically connected to ground and to the lower electrical terminal by solder and also thermally connected to the metal oxide varistor whereby when the varistor is heated by a surge of an electric current therethrough to a temperature to heat the solder above the melting point of the solder, said conductive rod gets separated from the lower electrical terminal to fall downwardly, thereby stopping the electric current through the metal oxide varistor to ground.

Abstract: A line voltage surge protecting device for telephone systems which normally include means for grounding excessive currents caused by lightening and the like. The device includes a gaseous discharge element which becomes conductive when the voltage in the line being protected momentarily exceeds a predetermined value to conduct current to a source of ground potential. A temperature sensitive element responsive to heat generated by the gaseous discharge device during prolonged excessive current serves to short the gaseous discharge element to ground. The temperature sensitive element includes means resiliently biasing the gaseous element for movement serving to short the same. A soldered retaining means opposes such movement, and heat developed in the gaseous discharge device is transmitted to the soldered means by conduction to melt the solder to permit the shorting action to occur.

Abstract: A surge protector assembly includes a unitary miniature surge protector having a pair of hollow electrode members extending within and sealed to a ceramic cylinder. The electrodes are provided with end walls which face one another within the cylinder to define a gap, and which are adapted to soften or melt under continuation of a predetermined arc discharge. Cylindrical contact members are slidably receivable within the electrodes and are spring-biased for urging the electrode end walls toward one another for shorting the gap, as, for example under extended breakdown conditions. The unitary surge protector and the contact members are received within a cylindrical holder having a spring means for urging the contact members toward the aforementioned end walls. The holder is threadedly received within a base member which makes electrical connection with the surge protector.