OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUITRY

摘要

An overvoltage protector suitable for protecting conductors comprises first, second and third at least bipolar protection elements (132, 134, 136). A first electrode of each protection element is connected to a common node (138). A second electrode of the first protection element (132) and a second electrode of the second or third protection elements (134, 136) are suitable for connection to a conductor to be protected. The first and third elements (132, 136) have breakdown conduction characteristic in one direction and diode conduction characteristic in the other, and the second element (134) has breakdown conduction characteristic in both directions, wherein the respective first electrodes of the first and third elements (132, 136) are of the same polarity.