Abstract: A gas discharge device is provided for protecting a telephone line from certain voltage surges. The gas discharge device provides low voltage surge protection from tip to ring but still retains higher voltage surge protection from tip or ring to ground. The device is a three terminal device constructed with a rod extending from the tip or ring toward the other tip or ring to control the electrical distance between the tip or ring. The ground element may be positioned at the other end of the device or it may be positioned intermediate the tip and ring so that the rod extends through an opening in the ground conductor. In either position, the distance between tip or ring and ground is greater than the distance between tip and ring, and thus the breakdown voltage is higher.