Overvoltage protection device including wafer of varistor material

摘要

An overvoltage protection device includes a housing including a first substantially planar electrical contact surface and a sidewall. The housing defines a cavity therein and has an opening in communication with the cavity. An electrode member of the device includes a second substantially planar electrical contact surface facing the first electrical contact surface and disposed within the cavity. A portion of the electrode member extends out of the cavity and through the opening. A wafer formed of varistor material and having first and second opposed, substantially planar wafer surfaces is positioned within the cavity and between the first and second electrical contact surfaces with the first and second wafer surfaces engaging the first and second electrical contact surfaces, respectively.