Abstract: A Category 5 (as well as newer revisions, such as Category 6 and Category E)/single-pair surge protector module for protecting telecommunications related equipment and the like from transient voltage and current surges includes a two-piece interfitting housing which receives a miniature printed circuit board therein. The miniature printed circuit board is used to mount a Category 5 (as well as newer revisions, such as Category 6 and Category E)/circuit surge protector device. The surge protector device includes a pair of voltage suppressors and four banks of diodes.

Abstract: A surge suppressor conducts heat from a surge protection component (SSC) through a heat conductive element, such as a copper pad, on a printed circuit board, to at least one thermal fuse to cause the thermal fuse to open when the resistance of the SSC begins to decrease, resulting in an increase of heat generated by the SSC.

Abstract: A predetermined electrode arrangement (1/1, 1/2, 1/3A, 1/6) comprising a plurality of shielded electrodes (213, 215) and a plurality of shielding electrodes (204, 214, 269A, 269B,) that together with other conductive (799, 206, 208, 207, 203, 218, 216, 217, 218) semi-conductive (not shown) and/or non-conductive material elements (212) are formed into a multi-functional energy condition assembly (1-1, 1-2, 1-3A, 1-6) or variant to be selectively coupled into circuitry (4-1, 5-1, 1-2).

Abstract: A stand-alone voltage surge suppression device for use with household appliances is arranged for connection to conventional female wall type outlets. The device is made to plug into an outlet socket and protect the adjacent sockets. The surge components of the device include two sets of varistors and thermofuses. In this embodiment, there are two sets of varistors and thermofuses. One is a primary varistor and fuse combination set at a lower voltage, and the other is a secondary group set at a higher voltage. Both take effect in surge protection, however, with enough hits, the lower one will fail first. Even so, the secondary group will still provide sufficient, although reduced amount of protection. In order for the user to know the status of the unit, there are two indicator lamps on the outside of the device. The surge protector preferably includes a light source arranged to indicate when the primary pair of varistors stops functioning.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system is disclosed. The system includes a battery, a super-capacitor (SC) coupled in parallel to the battery, a computer system coupled to the battery and the SC, and a current limiter coupled to the battery the SC and the computer system. The current limiter prevents excess current from flowing from the battery to the SC.

Abstract: A surge protector having a failsafe mechanism including at least one overvoltage protection element, at least one arm assembly, at least one ground element, at least one resilient member, and at least one protrusion. The at least one resilient member is electrically connected to the at least one ground element and the at least one protrusion is generally positioned between the at least one resilient member and the at least one arm assembly. The at least one protrusion is in thermal contact with the at least one resilient member, prevents the at least one resilient member from electrically contacting the at least one arm assembly during normal operation, and is spaced away from the at least one arm assembly.

Abstract: A surge arrester includes a stack of components having at least one varistor. Each component has end faces, at least one of which is mechanically bonded to an end face of another component such that the combined components of the stack define a single, monolithic structure that serves as both an electrically-active element and a mechanical support element of the surge arrester. The surge arrester also includes an insulative housing surrounding the stack of components. The stack of components is capable of withstanding current pulses having magnitudes of 65 kA and durations of 4/10 microseconds without significant degradation in operating performance of the stack of components.

Abstract: A lead frame for an integrated circuit includes a ground for the integrated circuit to ground the integrated circuit, the lead frame having at least one corner connected to the ground; and a connector between the corner of the lead frame and the ground located on the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A circuit protection device suitable for welding to a battery terminal or other substrate without adverse affects caused by weld splatter. The device contains a laminar PTC resistive element, e.g. made from a conductive polymer composition, sandwiched between first and second electrodes. A first electrical lead has a first attachment portion having an attachment surface which is attached to the first electrode, a first connection portion which can be connected to an electrical circuit and is spaced away from the PTC element, and a first barrier portion. The first barrier portion is positioned on the first lead between the first attachment and first connection portions and extends toward the second electrode. During resistance welding, the barrier portion prevents weld splatter from contacting the PTC resistive element.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge device adapted to be mounted to an electrical fixture wallplate is disclosed. The discharge device consists of a circuit having at least a resistor and preferably a non-linear discharge component mounted on an electrical fixture wallplate. Another embodiment has an electrical discharge circuit built within an electrical switch.

Abstract: A surge arrester includes a mounting bracket, a surge arresting element, an electrically conductive connector, and a fault disconnector. The mounting bracket forms a bracket cup. The surge arresting element is arranged to conduct in the presence of a surge. The electrically conductive connector is electrically coupled to the surge arresting element and forms a connector cup. The electrically conductive connector is received by the mounting bracket so that the bracket cup is received in the connector cup. The fault disconnector is arranged to disconnect the surge arresting element from an electrical line in the event of a fault, and the fault disconnector is housed within the housing formed by the connector cup and the bracket cup.

Abstract: A surge suppressor conducts heat from a surge protection component (SSC) through a heat conductive element, such as a copper pad, on a printed circuit board, to at least one thermal fuse to cause the thermal fuse to open when the resistance of the SSC begins to decrease, resulting in an increase of heat generated by the SSC.

Abstract: A metal oxide varistor comprises a hollow ceramic body having an opening, a first electrode within the body and having a portion extending through the opening, and a second electrode disposed on the exterior surface of the body. Voltage applied to the electrodes above the device clamping voltage causes the ceramic body to conduct. The geometry of the body, which is optimally a sphere, greatly increases surface area between the electrodes and the ceramic body, and consequently increases the device's current carrying capacity.

Abstract: The present invention is a surge protector circuit and method of protecting electronic equipment which do not load down a circuit at high frequencies and do not degrade a signal in high speed data transmission. A gas tube is connected in parallel with low capacitance diodes and an avalanche semiconductor device, such as a TVS. The diodes and the avalanche semiconductor clamp the voltage transient and allow the slower gas tube more time to fire, discharging the surge. The addition of the low capacitance diodes in series with the avalanche semiconductor, reduces the line-to-line and line-to-ground capacitances of the surge protector and keeps the surge protector circuit from loading down the rest of the circuit and degrading the signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a semiconductor chip, a plurality of wired pins, and at least one non-wired pin. The size of the non-wired pin is minimized, or the non-wired pin is eliminated, in order to increase the lead pin spacing. The increase in lead pin spacing prevents electrostatic discharge failure in an integrated circuit package due to electrostatic stressing of the non-wired pin.

Abstract: A high voltage, current limiting device is connected in series with a high voltage power source and a protected load to interrupt current for an over-current condition [Typically 50 kA]. The current limiting device includes a current sensor/isolator and a switch connected in series. A current limiter, which may include a fuse or polymer current limiting material, is connected in parallel to the current sensor/isolator. The current sensor/isolator includes a pair of electrically insulated supports secured to a plurality of support rods to maintain the insulated supports at a predetermined fixed spacing to support an expulsion fuse. The expulsion fuse link includes a pair of copper conductors of adequate current carrying capability that are attached to ends of a main weak link fuse. A pair of coil springs hold the weak link fuse under tension to repel the conductors apart when the weak link fuse melts open during an over-current condition.

Abstract: The surface mountable electrical device provides utilizes polymer composite materials to protect electronic components against electrical overstress transients. The device includes a first substrate having an electrode formed thereon. A portion of the electrode forms an electrical connector which projects outwardly from the substrate. A second substrate has a electrode formed on a surface thereof. A portion of the electrode on the second substrate forms a well or cavity. A voltage variable material is disposed within the cavity formed in the electrode on the second substrate. The two substrates are laminated together such that the electrical connector extends into the voltage variable material disposed within the cavity. Outer terminations adapted to be connected to an electrical circuit are formed on the outer surfaces of the substrates and are electrically connected to each respective electrode.

Abstract: A telephone line protection module having a printed circuit board base with conductive paths connected to pins of the module. Overvoltage sensitive semiconductor devices are soldered to the ends of a conductive bridge, and the bridge is spring-biased between a module cover and the conductive bridge. The semiconductor devices are thus forced into electrical contact with the printed circuit paths. In addition, in the event the semiconductor devices are thermally destroyed, the conductive bridge is forced by the spring into direct contact with the printed circuit paths.

Abstract: Disclosed is a floating gate neuron MOS transistor that may be incorporated into devices such as low voltage silicon control rectifiers for protection of internal circuits against electrostatic discharge. The transistor includes two or more input gates capacitively coupled to the floating gate. By adjusting the coupling ratio of the input gates, it is possible to control the transistor drain turn-on voltage very precisely and thereby turn on the rectifier without relying on avalanche breakdown of the transistor.

Abstract: A lighting arrester in the form of a double-ended polymer enclosure contains one or more varistor discs in vertical alignment having terminals at the opposing ends for external electrical connection. The discs are formed from a zinc oxide composition with metal electrodes on opposing faces that are electrically connected with each other and with the end terminals by U-shaped metal straps.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for encapsulating a single large MOV is shown. The MOV is sandwiched between aluminum contact plates. An epoxy fills the void space between the contact plates. A dielectric film encapsulates the entire sandwich. Soft films of aluminum foil or a deposition coating is used to cover the MOV surface to cure facial defects. An optional exterior case protects the MOV assemblies contained therein from short circuits due to dirt, grease or water build-up. The apparatus is designed to withstand over 100,000 amps of surge in a commercial up to 220 volt per phase secondary power system.

Abstract: A current limiting device has an electrically conductive composite material, an inhomogeneous distribution of resistance structure comprises a conducting filler, and at least two electrodes. At least one of the electrodes is a flexible electrode to maintain contact between the electrode and the composite material, regardless of the consumption of the composite material during a high current condition.

Abstract: A surge arrester comprising a stack of a plurality of cylindrical varistor blocks (10), preferably made of metal oxide, which are arranged one after the other in the axial direction of the varistor blocks between an upper end electrode (11) and a lower end electrode (12) and surrounded by an elongated, electrically insulating external casing (19) of rubber or other polymeric material. The end electrodes (11, 12) are interconnected by means of at least three clamping members (15) of insulating material to achieve the required contact pressure between the different elements (10-14) in the stack. Between the lower end electrode (12) and the first block (10) in the stack of varistors, there is arranged a pivot means comprising a centrally placed pivot member (17), projecting from the lower end electrode (12), said pivot member (17) making contact with a pressure plate (14), resting against the lowermost block (10) in the stack of varistors, to achieve articulation in all transverse directions.

Abstract: An improved surge protecting circuit which can protect the power source and the internal and external circuit elements of an electronic product by absorbing external surges through ground. The protecting circuit according to the present invention is connected between an AC input terminal and an AC ground pattern. The protecting circuit includes surge absorption patterns having an arc discharge gap of preferably 0.25 mm, which is less than a specified safety distance, which is typically 5 mm, so as to absorb the external surges transmitted through the terminal to the AC ground pattern and a varistor connected between the surge absorption patterns and the AC ground patterns.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection device, particularly for protecting equipment against electrical surges caused by lightning, wherein the protective device includes a first protection element for protecting the equipment from an electrical surge of positive polarity and a second protection element for protecting the equipment from an electrical surge of negative polarity, the first and second protection elements having substantially asymmetric surge capabilities. More specifically, the overvoltage protection device comprises a semiconductor substrate of one conductivity type having first and second pluralities of dopant regions of the opposite conductivity type disposed therein and respectively opening onto upper and lower major surfaces of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Described is a circuit board having protection against electrostatic discharge. The board includes a plurality of interconnect traces and an electrically conductive ground plane formed on a substrate such that a gap is created between the interconnect traces and the ground plane. A resistive electrostatic discharge protection material is positioned to bridge the gaps between the ground plane and the interconnect traces, such that the electrostatic discharge protection material electrically insulates the interconnect traces from the ground plane at voltages below a predefined threshold voltage and establishes an electrical connection between the interconnect traces and the conductive plane at voltages above the threshold voltage. A process of manufacturing the circuit board includes forming interconnect traces and a ground plane such that there is a gap between the ground plane and the interconnect traces.

Abstract: A surge suppressing device includes a voltage-dependent resistor having an opening formed therethrough. A pair of preformed pads formed of an electrically conductive material is located adjacent a first and second side respectively of the voltage-dependent resistor proximate the opening. The electrically conductive material flows through the opening creating an electrical short between the first and second sides when the voltage-dependent resistor is heated in response to excessive leakage current flowing therethrough.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection circuit for protecting a boost-type non-isolated battery discharge controller from a fault current. The battery discharge controller includes multiple parallel-coupled power stages each having an input fuse and an output fuse having predetermined current ratings. The overcurrent protection circuit includes a resistor serially connected to an input of each of the output fuses of each of the power stages for limiting the fault current through each of the power stages to a predetermined level below the predetermined current ratings of the input and output fuses. The overcurrent protection circuit also includes a current bypass path for providing a current path around the power stages when the fault current exceeds the predetermined current ratings of the input and output fuses.

Abstract: An improved surge arrester includes metal oxide varistors in series with spark gap assemblies arranged such that the MOV elements conduct the low magnitude, steady-state current through the arrester along a path that is separate and distinct from the path through which impulse current is conducted during an overvoltage.

Abstract: A miniature solid state overvoltage protection circuit for use on telephone lines using a solid state circuit arrangement connected between the tip terminal and the ground terminal and another solid state circuit between the ring terminal and the ground terminal. The first current path includes a bi-directional solid state thyristor having two terminals. One terminal of the thyristor is connected to the tip terminal and the other terminal is connected in series with a parallel pair of oppositely polarized semiconductor diodes connected to the ground terminal. A second current path is disposed between the ring terminal and the ground terminal and is identical to the first current path.

Abstract: A surge arrester includes a stack of varistor blocks (10), for example of zinc oxide, arranged between two end electrodes (11, 12) in an elongated insulating casing (23) of polymeric material, for example silicone rubber. The varistor blocks and the electrodes are axially surrounded by compression loops (14-17) of insulating material for providing the necessary contact pressure between the different elements (10, 11, 12) in the varistor stack. The varistor stack (10) and the compression loops are radially surrounded by a bursting-preventive bandage (21) of insulating material with openings (22) for pressure relief in case of internal short circuit in the surge arrester.

Abstract: An improved surge arrester includes metal oxide varistors in series with spark gap assemblies arranged such that the MOV elements conduct the low magnitude, steady-state current through the arrester along a path that is separate and distinct from the path through which impulse current is conducted during an overvoltage.

Abstract: An arrester has a plurality of laminated columns arranged in parallel, each having a plurality of nonlinear conduction elements. The columns are electrically interconnected by conductive connection members so that a conduction path is defined by the conduction elements and the connection members. The columns are arranged around, and in contact with, an insulating support column, which provides mechanical strength for the arrester. A plurality of such arresters may be arranged in an array, the arresters being interconnected by further insulating support columns. The laminated columns also contain insulating spacers and the spacers of two or more laminated columns may be rigidly interconnected. The arresters may be mounted in a casing filled with an insulating gas.

Abstract: An arrester in the shape of a tank has a cylindrical grounding tank as an outer casing to be arranged vertically in which an insulating medium is enclosed. In the grounding tank, a non-linear element group is disposed, the non-linear element group is formed by vertically stacking a plurality of non-linear resisting elements in series at a substantially axially central portion of the grounding tank. A shield having an umbrella-like shape is disposed on a high potential side of the non-linear element group. A shielding unit is operatively connected to a low potential side of the umbrella-shaped shield through a support member. The shielding unit comprises at least one shielding member having a spherical shape provided with a spherical surface portion facing an inner side wall of the grounding tank.

Abstract: A voltage protection arrangement (10) comprises a semiconductor substrate (12) having at least two electrical conductors (16,18,20) adjacent an edge of the substrate. An aperture (22) extends from the edge towards a point between the two electrical conductors. The aperture (22) reduces conductance between the two electrical conductors (16,18) in a region adjacent the edge of the substrate (12), such that if an excess voltage occurs between the two conductors (16,18), a reduced current flows in the region.

Abstract: A high voltage substation level surge suppression system is disclosed comprising three primary elements. Two surge arrestors are used, separated by a surge interceptor. The first surge arrestor encountered is a high energy dissipater. It conducts most of the energy from a lightning induced or other fast rising high voltage surge to ground. The surge interceptor, comprises an inductor formed by wrapping insulated wire around a tube through which is inserted a parallel high energy resistor. The inductor element in the Surge Interceptor operates to delay the fast rise surge or transient long enough that the high energy dissipater can operate. The resistor element operates to dampen ringing or oscillations caused by the interaction between the inductor and a high voltage lightning strike and to dissipate some of that energy. Finally, the second arrestor, the voltage controller, operates to clamp the voltage after the Surge Interceptor to a set level.

Abstract: This series-capacitor compensation equipment comprises a series-capacitor bank in series with a power line and an overvoltage protection circuit for the capacitor bank comprising the series combination of a surge arrester and electric bus structure connected in series with the power line and in parallel with the capacitor bank. The surge arrester includes metal-oxide varistor elements which impart a relatively high resistance to the arrester when the voltage across the arrester is in a normal range and a relatively low resistance when the voltage across the arrester rises to a predetermined value that produces arrester operation. The capacitor bank will discharge through the overvoltage protective circuit should a varistor element fail during arrester operation.

Abstract: A miniature station protector module for communication systems includes a hollow housing having a top surface and open bottom. A pair of line terminals and ground terminals are disposed in the housings top surface and extend inside the hollow housing, with the ground terminal disposed intermediate the pair of line terminals. A non-conductive printed circuit board with conductive paths thereon is affixed to the pair of line terminals and the ground terminal. A holding assembly is affixed to the ground terminal within the hollow housing and is adapted to receive a surge arrester therein. The surge arrester has at least a pair of electrodes and a ground terminal, with the ground terminal being an electrically conductive contact with the housing ground terminal, each one of the pair of surge arrester electrodes are in electrically conductive contact with one of the pair of line terminals. A protective housing circumscribes the surge arrester and portions of the holding assembly.

Abstract: A circuit and method for converting three-phase .DELTA. AC to a higher voltage DC output. The method utilizes first, second and third rectifying circuits and a storage circuit to provide DC. The circuit herein does not require an independent DC power source, nor a neutral AC connection, as used for conventional Y connected power systems. The circuit herein also provides a uniform loading to all three phases of the AC input. A preferred embodiment is provided herein comprised of twelve diodes and three capacitors, wherein the diodes rectify the current, and the capacitors store charge.

Abstract: A three-terminal surge arrestor unit employs air gaps augmented with semiconductors to protect a circuit having two ungrounded conductors. Conductive electrodes and the semiconductors are mounted on a common axis in a sandwich arrangement and secured in fixed relative positions. Two air gap lightning arrestors provide current paths for the respective conductors to ground in response to lightning strikes or other damaging surges, and an equalizer is incorporated in the electrode configuration to establish a current path between the conductors to protect them from an excessive voltage differential. The resulting configuration is a single, three-terminal unit designed to replace multiple unit air gap systems and gas tube arrestors.

Abstract: A surge protector particularly adapted for use with telecommunication equipment is non-conductive during normal operation and becomes conductive upon surge conditions of a first level and provides a short circuit condition when subjected to surge condition above a second, greater level. The protector comprises a semiconducting chip (16) disposed between first (32, 32') and second (30, 30') electrodes and is provided with an environmental seal (60, 60') shrunk abut the outer peripheral surfaces of the electrodes while being non-adhering to both provide contaminant protection and free slidability of the electrodes within the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surge arrester assembly with a plurality of parallel-connected arrester units (1) with polymer casing mounted in a rack. The lower and upper parts of the rack consist of bars (4a, 4b) of, for example, aluminium, which are included in the electric circuit. The bars are retained by, for example, support insulators (6) of porcelain or polymer material. The mechanical retention of the stacks of ZnO blocks of the arrester units (1) and the necessary contact pressure between the blocks are ensured by the rack structure. The electrical connections (23, 24) to the rack are arranged in such a way that, if a fault causing a short circuit in one of the block stacks occurs, the arc produced is blown by the current forces along the bars to the opposite end, where arcing horns (38) of a current-resistant material, for example steel, are arranged and where the arc may burn in a controlled manner without involving a risk to the environment. (FIG.

Abstract: A low voltage arrester works as a lightning arrester with high energy tolerance. With installation of the lightning arrester on power lines, telephone lines or other signal input lines, all electric apparatus connected to the lines are effectively protected against lightning surges including high energy surges caused by close thunderbolts. The lightning arrester includes two elements connected in parallel. One is a series circuit of a zinc oxide arrester and a non-inductive resistor, and the other element is a spark gap formed of brass electrodes. All the arrester elements are installed in one refractory porcelain case. In order to install the arrester in a limited space and to insure tolerance of high energy surges, the non-inductive resistor uses bifilarly or Ayston-Perry wound Nichrome wire.

Abstract: An insulator for use in a suspension-type line arrester that supports a transmission line is disclosed. Such line arresters have a plurality of insulators connected in a string. The insulators have linking members configured to prevent relative rotation between adjacent insulators in the line arrester's insulator string.

Abstract: A power receptacle assembly includes a plurality of AC snap receptacles each having a base containing three insulation displacement connectors and each electrically connected to a female receptacle connector element. A snap-on retainer forces three insulated power conductors into the three insulation displacement connectors causing knife blade edges thereof to displace insulation and electrically connect inner conductor elements of the insulated power conductors. The snap-on retainer of one of the AC snap receptacles also receives three slotted male tab friction fit connectors to electrically connect them to the three power conductors, respectively. The three slotted male tab friction fit connectors are connected to a printed circuit board that interacts with the three power conductors. Each slotted male tab friction fit connector has an elongated slot separating two bifurcated prongs, outer edges of the prongs frictionally engaging inner surfaces of the insulation displacement connectors.

Abstract: A protector system is provided for use in a low voltage power feed arrangement including a device requiring a low voltage power feed, and a power source. The power source is capable of supplying the device with electrical power. The device is electrically connected to the power source by means of a power transmission line. A line protector set is electrically connected to the power transmission line between the device and the power source so that all power in the power transmission line must encounter the line protector before the power reaches the device. The line protector set comprises an over-voltage arrester and an over-current arrester. The over-voltage arrester is coupled in circuit for grounding the transmission line in the presence of an over-voltage condition. The over-current arrester comprises a positive temperature coefficient resistor electrically connected in series with the device for preventing over-currents on the transmission line from reaching the device.

Abstract: A breaker assembly for use in conjunction with a surge or lightning arrestor of the type that includes at least one varistor. The varistor circuit is enclosed within a substantially airtight housing that includes a hinged panel. A cantilevered arm is fixed to the hinged panel and includes, adjacent its free end, an aperture for interlocking a post. A conductive disk is fixed to the post and positioned vertically with respect to conductive arms to complete a circuit that includes the surge arrestor. The action of upper and lower springs, in conjunction with the post, serves to close or open such circuit. The position of the post is locked by the interaction of a notch therein with the cantilevered arm so that the opening and closing of the breaker switch is regulated by the attitude of the front panel of the housing that is, in turn, responsive to varistor-generated vapor pressure therein.

Abstract: An arrestor unit is disposed between the line and earth sides of transmission lines and in parallel with an insulator by way of aerial discharge gap. Arrestor units accommodated in the arrestor unit is activated by reference voltage larger than a nominal line to ground voltage of the lines and less than the overvoltage of sound phase due to single phase ground fault.

Abstract: A lightning eliminating device for reducing the possibility of thunder strokes comprises a supporting base used for fitting semi-conductor rods, and a plural of semi-conductor rods fitted outwardly on the said base and having an elevation-angle or parallel with the ground reference, the two adjacent semi-conductor rods being electrically connected at the ends and separating from each other at the other ends at such a distance as will not cause a break-down voltage greater than the surface-wise flashover voltage generated on a single semi-conductor rod by thunder clouds. The semi-conductor rods may be made of the single variety of resistance material having a proper mechanical strength, or epoxy resin bars coated with semi-conducting materials such as zinc oxide, carbon black and resin. Even when there is a thunder stroke, the lightning eliminator will emasculate a strong stroke and reduce thunder current passing into the ground by 99%.

Abstract: An overvoltage protector for protecting equipment, especially telephone equipment, against high voltage surges such as are caused by lightning in the vicinity of the equipment or the cables to which it is connected, comprises one or more overvoltage protectors (42,58) mounted upon one face of an insulating support (18). A generally planar contact member (62) mounted upon the support member has a ground contact member (90) to make contact with a ground electrode (114) in the equipment to be protected and with each overvoltage protector. A spacer (60) of fusible plastics material extending between the contact member (62) and an interconnection (26) to one terminal (42A) of the protector melts when a sustained fault occurs. As the spacer melts, it permits an electrical connection between the contact member and the line to which the overvoltage protector is connected, effectively short-circuiting the line to ground.