Abstract: An overvoltage arrester wherein the arrester comprises an insulating housing which encloses a body of cast resin in which is embedded a voltage dependent resistor and a first connecting device, a portion of which protrudes from the resin body and extends out of the housing. The arrester is further provided with a spark gap formed as a separate unit and a second connecting device anchored to the spark gap, both of the latter elements also being disposed in the housing.

Abstract: 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 .alpha. 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.