Abstract: A varistor comprises a varistor element body, first and second inner electrodes opposing each other, a first outer electrode connected to the first inner electrode physically and electrically, a second outer electrode connected to the second inner electrode physically and electrically, and an electrically insulating layer. The first and second inner electrodes are arranged within the varistor element body so as to have end portions exposed at two outer surfaces of the varistor element body. The first outer electrode is arranged on one of the two outer surfaces so as to cover a portion of the end portion of the first inner electrode exposed at the one outer surface. The second outer electrode is arranged on the one outer surface so as to cover a portion of the end portion of the second inner electrode exposed at the one outer surface.

Abstract: A light emitting device has a semiconductor light emitting element and a multilayer chip varistor. The multilayer chip varistor has a multilayer body with a varistor portion therein, and a plurality of external electrodes disposed on an outer surface of the multilayer body. The varistor portion has a varistor layer containing ZnO as a principal component and exhibiting nonlinear voltage-current characteristics, and a plurality of internal electrodes arranged to interpose the varistor layer between them. Each of the external electrodes is connected to a corresponding internal electrode out of the plurality of internal electrodes. The semiconductor light emitting element is disposed on the multilayer chip varistor. The semiconductor light emitting element is connected to corresponding external electrodes out of the plurality of external electrodes so as to be connected in parallel to the varistor portion.