Overvoltage protection element for telecommunication circuits

摘要

An overvoltage protection element comprises at least two plate-shaped electrodes (1) and a spark gap between them. In this gap, to release a flashover, there is an ignition aid (4), which occupies only a small part of the space. It is shaped like the web of a beam and acts at the same time as a spacer between the electrodes. It is made of plastic with low resistance to surface leakage currents. This plastic releases electronegative gas under the influence of an arc. All together, there may be three such elements between the electrodes, distributed at 120 degrees to each other. There may be a third electrode (5) at a different distance from the second electrode compared to the first one.