Abstract: A gas arrester is disclosed. In an embodiment a gas arrester for data line systems includes a discharge electrode, a plurality of individual electrodes for connection to data lines and a common gas discharge region formed between the individual electrodes and the discharge electrode.

Abstract: Terminal fittings (11, 12) are connected to a side surface side of a housing (24) of a terminal block (20). A protection cover (50) covers the side surface side of the housing (24) and includes an upper surface cover (51) for covering an upper surface (24T) of the housing (24). The upper surface cover (51) includes an upper surface proximate portion (51P) to be arranged proximate to the upper surface (24T) of the housing (24). A step is formed between an outer edge (51E) of the upper surface cover (51) and the housing (24), the upper surface proximate portion (51P) is rearward than the outer edge (51E) of the upper surface cover (51) and a clearance larger than the one between the upper surface proximate portion (51P) and the upper surface (24T) of the housing (24) is formed below the outer edge (51E) of the upper surface cover (51).

Abstract: Overvoltage protection equipment may include: a first connection; a second connection; a first discharge path disposed between the first and the second connections, wherein the first discharge path comprises a spark gap; a second discharge path disposed between the first and the second connections, wherein the second discharge path comprises a triggerable circuit breaker and a thermistor connected in series; and a control device that induces the triggerable circuit breaker to switch on, based on at least one of a state or a state path of the first discharge path as a result of a discharge event.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a distributed heating transistor includes: a plurality of active regions where transistor action occurs including a heat source; and at least one inactive region where transistor action does not occur and no heat source is present, wherein adjacent active regions are separated by the at least one inactive region. The distributed heating transistor may be configured as field effect transistors (FETs), and bipolar junction transistors (BJTs). Methods for forming the distributed heating transistors are also provided.

Abstract: A configuration includes a surge arrester. The surge arrester includes first and second connecting terminals. At least one connecting terminal is connected to an electrically conductive connecting path to contact the surge arrester. The connecting path is mounted in a universally jointed manner.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus, which is immovable in a facility, comprises plural electric circuits. Each electric circuit has one or more resistance elements and is connected to each input terminal connected a power source. The electric circuits are arranged positionally closely with each other. In each electric circuit, a desired functional circuit is connected in series to the resistance element, and a protection circuit is connected in series to the resistance element and connected in parallel with the functional circuit. A discharge member is provided in each electric circuit and arranged between each input terminal and the functional circuit. The discharge member includes a discharge gap which allows the discharge member to face with the discharge member of an adjacently arranged electric circuit. The discharge gap discharge deliberately to the adjacently positioned discharge member when a voltage applied to a selected electric circuit exceeds a predetermined voltage value.

Abstract: A hybrid surge protector for a network interface device (NID) is disclosed. The hybrid surge protector includes a fail-safe spring connected to the ground electrode of a three-electrode gas tube. Tabs on the fail-safe spring are held away from the gas-tube end electrodes by a fusible element. The hybrid surge protector also includes metal-oxide varistor elements (“MOVs”) in contact with the gas-tube end electrodes and with the ground electrode via an MOV spring. This arrangement provides for two initial paths to ground-one path from the gas-tube end electrodes to the ground electrode through the gas tube, and another from the gas-tube end electrodes to the ground electrode through the MOVs and the MOV spring. The dominant path to ground starts as the MOV ground path but switches to the gas-tube path as the gas tube becomes activated. Another path to ground via the fail-safe spring is also available should the gas tube overheat.

Abstract: A device for protection against voltage surges, comprising: a first spark gap (E1); a first pre-triggering system (2), electrically connected to the first spark gap (E1), so as to enable its being primed; a control device (4) electrically connected to the first pre-triggering system (2) so as to activate same. The invention is characterized in that it comprises at least a second spark gap (E2) mounted parallel to the first spark gap (E1), and electrically connected to a second pre-triggering system (3), such that the control device simultaneously activates the first and the second pre-triggering systems (2, 3), so as to trigger simultaneously the first and second spark gaps (E1, E2). The invention also concerns devices against voltage surges.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arrester in which energy during discharge is not concentrated in one point and which has good responsiveness to overvoltage. The arrester is provided with an energy absorber 3 that absorbs energy when a lightning strike occurs, and a pair of conductive electrodes 1 and 2. Between the pair of conductive electrodes 1 and 2, two air gaps 9 are formed in series, between the conductive electrode 1 and the energy absorber 3, and between the conductive electrode 2 and the energy absorber 3. The two air gaps 9 include planer gaps.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection means having a first electrode (1), a second electrode (2), a breakdown spark gap between the two electrodes (1, 2), and a housing (3) which holds the electrodes (1, 2). When the breakdown spark gap is ignited, an arc (4) is formed between the two electrodes (1, 2) within the discharge space (5) which connects the two electrodes (1, 2). The overvoltage protection arrangement has an especially high line follow current extinguishing capacity, but can nevertheless be easily built, and the discharge space (5) is made such that it runs at least partially transversely and/or opposite the direction of the electrical field of the prevailing line voltage so that the distance to be overcome by the arc (4) between the two electrodes (1, 2) has a transverse component relative to the electrical field.

Abstract: A method for directing a current generated by a lightning striking a wind turbine is described. The method includes directing the current from a main shaft of the wind turbine to a brake disc attached to the shaft, and directing the current from the brake disc to one of a spark gap and a roller mechanism coupled to a down-conductor at a ground voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing surge arrestors, the method including stacking varistors; and forming a coating of composite material on the stack. Between these steps, also included is placing a bead of flexible, adhesive, and dielectric material on the previously formed stack in register with the various interfaces between each pair of adjacent varistors.

Abstract: A compact arrangement for multipole, surge-protected surge arresters, including internally wired, encapsulated series gaps arranged essentially in parallel in a housing. The series gaps have opposite-lying, projecting contact surfaces connected to outer terminals and inner contact bars or bridges. An electronic control or trigger circuit is located on a wiring support. The housing includes dividing walls and has a trough shape, the resulting housing chambers accommodating the gaps and terminals. An insulating plate with openings into which spring contact elements are introduced is provided on the housing trough which opens upwards. Located above the insulating plate is the wiring. The spring contact elements create the electrical connection between contact points on the underside of the wiring support and the cover of one of the series gaps, respectively.

Abstract: A surge protection device includes a first electrode and a second electrode. An air breakdown spark gap is between the second and first electrodes, an arc being formed upon an ignition of the air breakdown spark gap. A series arrangement of a potential dividing element and an ignition element is connected to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a surge arrestor having a middle electrode and at least one outer electrode, in which an electrically conductive spring clip is secured to the middle electrode and exerts a spring power on the outer electrode; in which an electrical component part that is non-conductive at the trigger voltage of the surge arrestor and generates heat given a flow of current is arranged between the spring clip and the outer electrode; in which the spring clip lies against an electrically conductive contact element that is secured to a spacer element using a fusible mass and that is spaced from the outer electrode; and in which, when the fusible mass melts, the contact element is pressed against the outer electrode by the spring clip. The trigger mechanism has the advantage that it reacts very quickly and thereby reduces the formation of sparks and the fire hazard as well.

Abstract: A spark-gap arrangement encapsulated in a pressure-proof housing, for diverting harmful disturbances due to overvoltage, including at least two electrodes disposed substantially opposite one another in a housing that is conductive or provided with a conductive coating, between which a discharge space is formed and which are insulated from the housing. In accordance with the spark-gap arrangement a trigger voltage to form a subsidiary spark gap in the discharge space can be applied directly by the conductive housing, so that by the subsidiary spark gap the main spark gap between the main electrodes can be ignited.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surge absorber provided with; a surge absorber element composed of a columnar non-conductive member and a conductive film formed dividedly via a discharge gap on a peripheral surface of the non-conductive member, a pair of sealing electrodes disposed at opposite ends of the surge absorber element and touching the conductive film, and a glass tube with opposite ends closed by the sealing electrodes, and the surge absorber element and an inert gas encapsulated thereinside. In the surge absorber of the invention, a face of each sealing electrode which contacts with the surge absorber element is formed in a concave shape symmetrical with a central axis of the glass tube. As a result the surge absorber element can be positioned in the center of the glass tube with high accuracy, the life span and the surge current capacity of the surge absorber can be improved, and low cost and small size becomes possible.

Abstract: In order to simplify the mountability of electrode terminals in the form of band-like clips on either two-electrode or three-electrode arresters, the clips are resiliently fashioned in a circumferential direction. When such a clip axially projects beyond a foot part of the respective end electrode, the projecting region in a three-electrode arrester can be part of a short-circuit device which electrically connects to the middle electrode, potentially in combination with an auxiliary discharge path.

Abstract: A surge protector includes a coaxial through-section having a through inner conductor and a through outer conductor, a stub having a stub inner conductor, a stub outer conductor, a first end and a second end. The stub is coupled to the coaxial through-section, wherein the stub inner conductor is conductively coupled to the through inner conductor at the first end of the stub, and the stub outer conductor is conductively coupled to the through outer conductor at the first end of the stub. The stub inner conductor is substantially hollow and having at least one helical aperture disposed therein. A charge elimination device conductively coupled between the stub inner conductor and a grounding device, and a radio frequency short circuit bypass is electrically coupled between the stub inner conductor and the stub outer conductor. A DC injection port is also conductively coupled between the stub inner conductor and the stub outer conductor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conventional cable connector, such as a UMTR (Universal Male Terminator type connector), that further comprises an element for protecting the electrical components positioned within the connector from high voltage surge. The surge protection element comprises a ring that is positioned in circumferentially surrounding relation to the input pin that carries the signal being transmitted by the coaxial cable. The ring includes at least one, and preferably three prongs that extend radially inwardly therefrom and terminate in close, but non-contacting relation to the pin. If a high voltage surge of electricity is carried by the coaxial cable transmission line, such as might occur if it is struck by lightening, a spark will be formed in the gap between the prongs and the cable due to the conductive composition of the surge protection element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spark-gap arrangement encapsulated in a pressure-proof housing, for diverting harmful disturbances due to overvoltage, comprising at least two electrodes disposed substantially opposite one another in a housing that is conductive or provided with a conductive coating, between which a discharge space is formed and which are insulated from the housing. In accordance with the invention a trigger voltage to form a subsidiary spark gap in the discharge space can be applied directly by way of the conductive housing, so that by way of the subsidiary spark gap the main spark gap between the main electrodes can be ignited.

Abstract: In order to give an external short-circuit device of a surge voltage protector a current carrying capacity that is as large as possible, a device is made up of a two-armed flexible short-circuit clip whose contact regions are arranged axially to end electrodes. The contact region is formed by two brackets that release a center region of the respective end electrode, and that stand opposite an edge region. An insulating spacer is arranged between a common base of the contact brackets and the edge region of the respective.

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 gas-filled surge arrester includes at least two electrodes, a hydrogen-containing gas filling and an activating compound applied to at least one of the electrodes. In order to ensure the required operating behavior of the surge arrester even at temperatures to 40%, the activating compound contains nickel powder in an amount of 30 to 35% by weight and potassium silicate in an amount of 25 to 30% by weight as basic components, sodium bromide in an amount of 15 to 20% by weight, as well as aluminum powder, sodium silicate and barium titanate as further components each in an amount of 5 to 10% by weight.

Abstract: An electrical discharge tube comprises a cylindrical body, made of insulating material, having an inner surface, and having end faces defining respective openings. Metallized layers are formed on the respective end faces of the cylindrical body and are substantially parallel to each other. Electrodes airtightly close the respective openings by means of the metallized layers and have respective electrical discharge faces, between which an electrical discharge gap is defined. At least one first electrical discharge trigger wire is formed as a loop on the inner surface of the cylindrical body and extends substantially in parallel to the metallized layers along a first surface located within a range of the electrical discharge gap.

Abstract: A three-electrode-discharge surge arrester has two opposing discharging parts of a pair of line electrodes, defining a gap therebetween, and a ground electrode disposed between the two discharging parts and provided with a penetration hole in the center. Each of the two discharging parts has a substantially conical shape. In accordance with this substantially conical shape, each of inner surfaces of upper and lower parts of the penetration hole of the ground electrode is substantially funnel-shaped. Hence, oblique parallel gaps for a primary discharge are formed between the substantially funnel-shaped inner surfaces of the upper and lower parts of the penetration hole and the two substantially conical discharging parts. Also, parallel gaps for a secondary discharge are formed between peripheral parts of the ground electrode around the penetration hole and peripheral parts of the line electrodes. Each of the oblique parallel gaps is formed narrower than each of the parallel gaps.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection system with an overvoltage protection element (1) and an ignition aid which triggers the overvoltage protection element (1), the overvoltage protection element (1) having two main electrodes (2, 3) and an air-breakdown spark gap (4) which acts between the main electrodes (2, 3). An overvoltage protection system having a relatively small and also largely constant operating voltage is implemented by there being an ignition circuit (5) with an ignition voltage output (6) as the ignition aid, the overvoltage protection element (1) having an ignition spark gap (7) which acts between the main electrodes (2, 3) with at least one ignition electrode (8) and the ignition electrode (8) being connected to the ignition voltage output (6) of the ignition circuit (5).

Abstract: There is provided a surge absorber without chips in which a pair of discharge electrodes arranged facing to each other in a housing 1 are fixed by welding of the housing 1 with a distance between the discharge electrodes maintained. Clean and dry air or a mixed gas mainly comprising such air is sealed in an air chamber 4.

Abstract: An electric field electron discharge surge absorbing element includes a first substrate member having an electron discharge portion on which a plurality of emitters are formed, and a second substrate member having a surface on which no emitters are formed. The surface and the electron emitter portion face each other, separated at a prescribed distance by a frame member. A vacuum is formed in the envelope between the substrate members and the frame member. External electrode layers are formed on the outer surfaces of each substrate member. The emitter cones may be etched from a semiconductor material, or may be diamond crystals deposited in place.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting at least one internal component of a printed circuit board provided inside a housing from an electrostatic discharge which is generated from outside the housing and enters through an external component to which the at least one internal component is connected, includes a base imbedded between a resist layer and a substrate of the printed circuit board to electrically ground the electrostatic discharge. A node is provided between the external component and the at least one internal component to be protected, for shunting the electrostatic discharge away from the internal component and to the base. Also included is a mask provided in a space between the base and the node for maintaining an electrical disconnection between the base and the node in the absence of the electrical discharge, and for allowing the electrical discharge to be shunted away from the at least one internal component to be protected to ground, via the node and the base, in the presence of the electrical discharge.

Abstract: A surge protecting device for protecting circuit parts or electric power units of electronic devices from surges caused from exterior environments has a surge inflow terminal for receiving exterior surges from an antenna. The surge inflow terminal is interposed between surge absorption terminals which are connected to an A.C. power line so that the exterior surges cause a spark discharge to be generated in spark discharge gaps and be dissipated by flowing out through an A.C. ground pattern. The spark discharge gaps formed between the surge inflow terminal and the surge absorption terminals provide a predetermined distance therebetween. The device also includes cover members and mounts on a printed circuit board to allow the surge inflow and absorption terminals to be detachably assembled to terminal connection holes of the printed circuit board. The surge inflow and absorption terminals are arranged substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: At least one live conductor and one neutral strap are provided for an electricity meter, the respective inlets and outlets of the live conductor and of the neutral strap being disposed inside the meter housing parallel to one another and being coplanar. A metal bar connected to neutral is disposed inside the meter housing in the vicinity of and at a short distance from the inlet and/or the outlet of the live conductor to define a gap in which a controlled arc between the live conductor and the metal bar can propagate in the event of a surge.

Abstract: In a three-electrode surge arrester where the center electrode (3) is provided with a connecting wire (6) that projects outward radially and is provided with an outside short-circuit device, the latter consists of a two-arm spring clip (20) whose arms project axially beyond the free ends of the end electrodes and are in contact with the outside peripheral edge of the respective end electrode (1, 2) with a layer of insulating film (21) in between. Spring clip (20) has an roof-shaped arch (24) and is provided with a passage in the area of this arch that serves to secure the spring clip on connecting wire (6) of center electrode (3).

Abstract: A mounting clip with back-up overvoltage protection which is adapted to receive an overvoltage protection device has dielectric disposed between one terminal of the back-up overvoltage protection apparatus and the other terminal thereof is in electrically conducting contact with a terminal of the three terminal overvoltage protection device with a dielectric disposed between the grounding clip and two terminals of the overvoltage protection device; the mounting clip functioning as the second terminal of the back-up overvoltage protection apparatus.

Abstract: A surge absorbing structure capable of effectively utilizing the gaseous discharge is intended without a complicated structural configuration such as using the conventional discharge tube. To implement this, a porous layer 1 is formed by a non-conductive material to provide many holes, and sandwiched between a pair of electrodes 2a and 2b to allow the electrodes to be conducted by the gaseous discharge generated through the holes 3 in this porous layer to execute surge absorption.

Abstract: A surge arrester assembly includes an electrically conductive container having disposed therein a surge arrester and a meltable element. The surge arrester has a first electrode in electrical contact with the container and a second electrode not in electrical contact with the container. The meltable element is an electrically conductive element in thermal contact with the surge arrester. The meltable element is located and configured so as to melt in response to a selectable level of thermal energy generated by the surge arrester, in such a manner as to create an electrical short circuit between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A telephone station protector module suitable for exposure to weather includes an elongated lower hollow housing member has a longitudinal and a transverse axis. The top surface includes a pair of terminal assemblies with the front and rear surfaces parallel to the module's longitudinal axis and include an elongated through aperture and an open bottom. Each terminal assembly includes a pair of hollow rectangularly shaped upper housing members having a top surface with an aperture adapted to receive a threaded bolt. Two side surfaces parallel to the transverse axis are provided with a plurality of apertures suitable for receiving insulated wires therein. The other two parallel sides surfaces are provided with an outwardly extending protrusion for cooperating with the bottom member elongated aperture. The terminal assembly also includes a generally U-shaped conducting contact, which has a pair of arm portions and a base portion.

Abstract: An arrangement is described with several surge arresters arranged next to one another with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel. Each surge arrester is coupled to a common conductor rail via connecting lines which extend substantially radially away from the longitudinal axis of the surge arrester in a direction opposite to the position of exhaust openings on the circumference of the surge arrester. In the event of an electric arc, a current flowing through the connecting line thus generates a magnetic field which pushes the electric arc away from the surge arrester. The exhaust openings on each surge arrester are positioned so that the electric arc does not occur in the area between two adjacent surge arresters and is pushed away from the surge arresters by the components of the magnetic field. In addition, the direction of flow of the current in the connecting lines forms an angle smaller than 90.degree.

Abstract: A gas-tube arrester includes an arrester body in which an inert gas is contained, and first and second electrodes face each other separated by an insulator. An insulating, heat-resistant film is in contact with the first electrode and has a plurality of small holes. A low-melting point metal plate layered on the insulating film has a melting point lower than a decomposition or softening temperature of the insulating film. A conductive leaf spring electrically connected to the second electrode presses the low-melting point metal plate toward the insulating film, so that, when a high voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes, an electrical discharge occurs between the first and second electrodes through the small holes of the insulating films.

Abstract: In order to guarantee that the gas atmosphere of the structure of an encapsulated spark gap (9) is reliably protected from the effect of moisture, two flat discharge surfaces of two dish-type electrodes (1,6), each designed with a collar-shaped rim (2), abut on both sides of a thin insulating layer (4) having punched holes. A tubular glass insulator (3) is sealed on the front side into the collar-shaped rims of the two electrodes. During the course of their manufacturing, the electrodes are placed with their collar-shaped rim on the front sides of the glass insulator, are inductively heated and, under the action of an axially directed pressing force, are driven toward one another and pressed against the insulating layer. A spark gap of this type can be used as a secondary discharge gap for triple-electrode arresters.

Abstract: A discharge relay electrode is located between terminal electrodes of a gap-type surge absorber. In a microgap embodiment of the invention, a conducting film on a surface of an insulating tube is split by two circumferential gaps spaced apart longitudinally. The discharge relay electrode is positioned between the two gaps. In a gap type surge absorber, the discharge relay electrode is positioned within the insulating tube midway between the end electrodes, substantially filling the cross section of the tube, and dividing the interior of the tube into a plurality of chambers. For both types of surge absorbers, the discharge relay electrode is effective to relay discharge between the terminal electrodes.

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: An improved vacuum valve including an insulating container and an arc shield held in the insulating container, wherein a protrusion is formed on either the outer cylindrical surface of the arc shield or on the inner surface of the container. A detecting electrode is set confronted with the outer surface of the insulating container with an air gap therebetween, and is grounded through a current sensor. The current sensor detects a discharge current which is induced through the protrusion when the degree of vacuum of the vacuum valve is reduced, to output a detection signal. In response to the detection signal, a signal processing unit outputs an alarm signal indicating the reduction in the degree of vacuum of the vacuum valve. Thus, while the vacuum valve is in operation, its vacuum reduction can be positively detected with the vacuum valve maintained unchanged in reliability.

Abstract: A gas-filled three-electrode overvoltage arrester may be developed in such a manner that it has dependable "fail-safe" and "vent-safe" behavior. For this purpose, a two-arm spring clip (10) is fastened to the center electrode (1). The ends of the two-arm spring clip (10) rest, with the interpositioning of a spacer (20, 21; 22, 23), against the ends of the end electrodes (2, 3). The end of each arm of the spring clip bears a cap (14, 15) which is provided with a flange-like edge (16, 17). One end of the connecting wire (6, 7) of each end electrode has the shape of a ring (61, 71) which is fastened at the end side to the end electrode. The ring of the connecting wire and the flange-like edge of the cap are opposite each other and are held apart by a disk-shaped fusible pellet (20, 22) and a cylindrical part (21, 23) having insulating properties. The cylindrical part consists either of a temperature-resistant insulating material or of a metal-oxide varistor.

Abstract: A surge absorber has an insulating body having a flat surface on which a pair of electrically conductive thin-film terminal electrodes and, therebetween, one or more electrically conductive thin-film discharge electrodes of a predetermined shape or shapes are formed. Micro discharging gaps are present between each of the terminal electrodes and any of the discharging electrodes adjacent thereto and between any of the discharging electrodes adjacent to each other. The discharging electrodes are typically arranged in a row and column pattern. A thermostatic fuse may be provided on the opposite side of the insulating body from the side of the flat surface on which the terminal and discharge electrodes are present. The substantial part of the surge absorber is hermetically sealed in an enclosure. The enclosure is filled with a gas such as an inert gas.

Abstract: This invention relates to a protection module provided to receive an overvoltage arrester in a receptacle and designed to plug on the protection ring of a telephone line interconnection module. The receptacle presents a receiving cavity adapted to receive overvoltage arresters of different dimensions, and it contains three elastic contacts, viz. two line contacts each with two contact strips and an earth contact with contact clamp. A thermofusible insulating shim is inserted between four additional earth lugs and the body of the overvoltage arrester in order to ensure short-circuiting of the latter in the event of functioning due to a lightning strike.

Abstract: A gas-tube arrester includes an arrester body containing an inert gas and having first and second electrodes positioned in spaced, facing relationship to each other and separated by an insulator. An insulating, heat-resistant film is in contact with the first electrode and has an opening and a plurality of small holes. A metal plate layered on the insulating film has an opening communicating with the opening of the insulating film. A low-melting point metal plate layered on the metal plate to cover the openings has a melting point lower than a softening temperature of the insulating film.

Abstract: A surge protector is provided for a multi-phase watthour meter. The surge protector allows all three phases to be protected using a single resistive block and ground strap. Separate first electrodes are connected to each phase of the circuit and each electrode is disposed adjacent one end of a different hole formed in the meter base. A second electrode is disposed at the opposite end of the holes and forms a tip at each hole, thereby forming separate spark gaps with each of the first electrodes. A resistive block mounted on the outboard side of the meter base is in surface contact with the second electrode and a single ground strap is in contact with the resistive block so as to ground the meter to its socket when arcing occurs in the spark gaps.

Abstract: A miniature back-up overvoltage protection apparatus for use on an overvoltage protection device includes a housing adapted to be removably mounted on the first and second terminals of an overvoltage protection device. A dielectric is disposed within the housing and is sandwiched between two electrically conducting members done of which is in contact with one end terminal of the overvoltage protection device. A unitary clip is adapted to removable retain the overvoltage protection device and to urge a pair of back-up overvoltage protection apparatuses against the distal terminals of the overvoltage protection device with the clip making electrically conducting contact with the third terminal of the overvoltage protection device, the second conducting member and to the ground terminal of the telephone line system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas discharge switch with a low-pressure gas discharge segment, which is provided with an anode and at least one main cathode, and arranged in an ionizable working gas. It is provided with a control unit for flow discharge, which contains a cathode. For the working gas, a gas storage with automatic pressure control is provided. According to the invention, the energy of glow discharge is provided as the setting value for regulating the pressure of the working gas. With this module (30), consisting of the cathode (31) for glow discharge with the gas storage (32), the pressure of the working gas, preferably hydrogen, remains at least approximately constant over a long period of time, in a closed system of this so-called pseudo-spark switch.