Overvoltage Arrestors item 7.

• Standard overvoltage protection elements

• Limit overvoltages
TECHNICAL DATA

• Absorption of high currents

• Two and three electrode versions
• Thermal overload protection
• Meets international standards
Dimension: two-electrode arrestor
8x6 ceramic

Dimension: three-electrode arrestor

with fail-safe

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 Overvoltage Arrestors
Advanced communications technology, as well as (approximately 20 to 40V), a further build-up of
measuring and control systems call for perfect the overvoltage. After the influence has decayed,
signal transmission. In order to eliminate any risk the arc in the GDT is interrupted (arc extinction)
of personal injury and damage to or even and the internal resistance of the component
destruction of installations as a consequence of immediately rises to a value of >1000MΩ.
overvoltage conditions, these influences must be In practical application, the GDT is connected in
limited to harmless levels by means of parallel with the information transmission system
overvoltage arrestors. to be protected (Figure 3). Its internal resistance is
Overvoltage conditions are distinguished in terms extremely high at operating voltage and falls to
of internal and external overvoltages: nearly <0.1Ω when an overvoltage condition
Internal overvoltage conditions occur as a occurs, thereby shorting the operating voltage
consequence of: and the overvoltage. In common
telecommunication circuits and/or systems with
• switching of inductive circuits an operating voltage of less than 60 VDC, the
• spark-over GDT's arc extinction is ensured after elimination
of the influence. In the case of systems with an
Overvoltage Arrestors

• conductive coupling with higher voltage

operating voltage of more than 60 VDC or with
potentials
lower impedance, the GDT's extinction behaviour
• influences of other components must be checked case by case.
External overvoltage conditions impact the If, for instance, GDTs are used in conjunction with
system: power or voltage supply systems (e.g. main
• through connecting lines sockets), precise examination of the extinction
behaviour is mandatory.
• in the form of inductive coupling caused, for
instance, by fields of a power supply line or Optimally, the GDT meets the requirements of a
switching process protection element: the overvoltage is safely
limited to permissible levels, and due to its high
• in the form of capacitive coupling caused, for insulation resistance and very low self-
instance, by atmospheric fields capacitance (<5 pF) under undisturbed
conditions, the GDT has virtually no influence on
Operation the protected system.
The operation of overvoltage arrestors (gas In addition to the parameters mentioned above,
discharge tubes, GDTs) is based upon highly the degree of primary ionization of the enclosed
efficient gas discharge principles. In electrical gas volume plays a crucial role in considering the
terms, a GDT behaves like a voltage-controlled rise time of the GDT during initial firing.
switch (Figure 2). As soon as the overvoltage Without primary ionization of the gas volume,
exceeds the GDT's spark-over voltage, a defined the initial ignition in the GDT (dark discharge
discharge occurs in the component. The effect) is delayed. The use of additional ionization
8/05

hermetically sealed GDT's electrical specifications sources (subject to special specification) reduces
are highly dependent upon certain parameters, the ignition level during initial ignition.
such as gas type, gas pressure and spark gap.
The response behaviour of the GDT is greatly
The discharging process destroys the energy
influenced by the rate of rise of the interference
within a short time. With its high current carrying
influence. The response time of the GDT is
capacity, the arc thus generated prevents, at
generally defined in the 0,1 µs range, with the
more or less constantly low arc voltage
Activating compound
Electrodes

Ceramic or Ignition aid

glass insulator
Figure 2: Characteristic and principles of
Gas discharging space GDT construction

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 Overvoltage Arrestors

previously mentioned rate of rise of the Specifications

overvoltage playing the most important part in
A wide range of GDTs is available for the most
which context the response voltage ranges for
varied applications.
“static“ and “dynamic interference influences“
are distinguished (Figure 4). The most important distinctions are:
In the case of a dynamic influence (steeper • two-electrode arrestor (button type) or three-
voltage waves) the GDT's firing voltage is above electrode arrestor
the response DC voltage (VSi > VcdcN) that is due to • material: ceramic (MK)
the finite ionization time of the gas.
• geometrical arrestor dimensions
Push-pull interferences due to non-synchronous
GDTs are additionally defined by the following
ignition of the discharging distance (against
electrical characteristics:
earth) are avoided through the use of three-
electrode arrestors. A common discharging space • The nominal dc spark-overvoltage (VSdcN)
ensures almost simultaneous ignition events at defines the static value of the GDT's ignition
Overvoltage Arrestors

different interference levels. point (in Volts). By definition, this value is

u
determined by a voltage (rate of rise: d /dt =
GDTs are exclusively designed for transient loads
100 V/s). The standard VSdcN tolerance is ±20%.
(see ITU recommendation K12).
• The impulse spark-overvoltage (VSi) defines
A GDT exposed to permanent loads (e.g. under
the typical value of the GDT's dynamic ignition
power crossing conditions [influence due to
point (in Volts) (voltage rise by definition 1
contact of the system to be protected with
kV/µs).
power and voltage supply systems]), will be
destroyed by overheating. Three-electrode • The nominal alternating discharge current
arrestors with external temperature protection (IdaN) is defined as a 1s AC current (50Hz, RMS
(fail-safe) can be used in order to prevent value).The GDTs are designed to withstand
damage to installations and overvoltage either ten loading processes (every 3 minutes)
protection equipment as a consequence of over- in accordance with ITU K12, or five loading
temperature of the GDT. In such a case, an processes (every 30 seconds) in accordance
external short-circuit bridge shorts the overheated with DIN/VDE.
GDT against earth. • The nominal impulse discharge current (idiN)
defined as current impulse with 8/20µs
waveform. The GDTs are designed to withstand
the following loads: in accordance with ITU
K12: ten times (every 3 minutes) or in
accordance with DIN/VD: five times (every 30
seconds).
8/05

In addition to these characteristics, standard data

Figure 3: Line are available concerning the capacitance of the
protection with GDTs (typically 2 pF) and their insulation
GDTs (in parallel 11
resistance Risol Risol (>10 Ω).
with load)

static range dynamic range

Figure 4: GDT
response behaviour
(example VcdcN=230V)

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 Product range of overvoltage arrestors*
Two-electrode arrestors
Type VscicN/V Vsi/V IdaN//A IdiN/kA** Catalogue Number
Arrestor 8x6, 90V 90 <600 20 20 6717 3 341-00
Arrestor 8x6, 90V 90 <600 10 10 6717 3 341-01
Arrestor 8x6, 230V 230 <600 20 20 6717 3 343-00
Arrestor 8x6, 230V 230 <700 10 10 6717 3 343-01
Arrestor 8x6, 230V 230 <700 5 5 6717 3 343-03
Arrestor 8x6, 350V 350 <700 20 20 6717 3 344-00
Arrestor 8x6, 350V 350 <1000 10 10 6717 3 344-01

Three-electrode arrestor without Fail-safe

Type VscicN/V Vsi/V IdaN//A IdiN/kA** Catalogue Number
Arrestor 8x13, 90V 90 <550 10 10 6717 3 501-00
Arrestor 8x13, 230V 230 <650 10 10 6717 3 503-00
Arrestor 8x13, 230V 230 <450 10 20 6717 3 503-01
Arrestor 8x13, 350V 350 <900 10 10 6717 3 504-00
Arrestor 8x13, 350V 350 <700 10 10 6717 3 504-01

Three-electrode arrestor with Fail-safe

Type VscicN/V Vsi/V IdaN//A IdiN/kA** Catalogue Number
Arrestor 8x13, FS, 90V 90 <550 10 10 6717 3 511-00
Arrestor 8x13, FS, 230V 230 <650 10 10 6717 3 513-00
Arrestor 8x13, FS, 230V 230 <450 10 20 6717 3 513-90
Arrestor 8x13, FS, 350V 350 <900 10 10 6717 3 514-00

*) Arrestors with different design and other electrical properties on request.

**) VsdcN/V Line A/ Line B, earth: 100 V/s
Vsi/V Line A/Line B, earth: 1000 V/µs
TECHNICAL DATA

IdaN/A Line A and Line B, earth: 50 Hz 1 s

idiN/kA Line A and Line B, earth: 8/20 µs

DC spark-over voltage
vsdc/V Line A/Line B, earth: 100V/s
Impulse spark-over voltage
vsi/V Line A/Line B, earth: 1000V/µs
Alternating ac discharge current
IdaN/a Line A and Line B, earth: 50Hz 1s
Impulse discharge current
idiN/a Line A and Line B, earth: 8/20µs

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Specifications published here are current as of the date of publication of this document. Because we are continuously
improving our products, ADC KRONE reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice. At any time, you may
verify product specifications by contacting our world headquarters office in Minneapolis. ADC Telecommunications, Inc. views
its patent portfolio as an important corporate asset and vigorously enforces its patents.

101259EN 8/05 Original © 2005 ADC Telecommunications, Inc. All Rights Reserved