Gas tube arrestors are an important component of circuit protection products for industrial, commercial and residential applications. Gas tube arrestors are specialized components designed to protect electrical systems from damage due to transient overvoltages and arcs. They can be used as protection against lightning strikes and surges caused by nearby electrical events. Gas tube arrestors are also known as surge suppressors or surge-dampers.
Gas tube arrestors work by quickly diverting high voltage current from a circuit. It does this by opening a path for the current to flow through the gas tube, thus preventing the current from damaging the connected circuit components. When the voltage reaches a certain level, the device will conduct (or "trip") allowing the current to flow while at the same time preventing potentially dangerous arcs from forming. Gas tube arrestors are designed to prevent destruction of equipment by providing short-circuit protection. They are also designed to reduce interference in communication lines by helping to eliminate the transient noise that often accompanies a surge event.
Gas tube arrestors are available in many different configurations, including single-phase, three-phase and even multiple-phase versions. Single-phase arrestors are usually rated for up to 480 volts while the more complex multi-phase versions can be rated for up to 13,800 volts. The types of protection provided by gas tube arrestors vary depending on the configuration. For instance, some models are designed to respond to both AC and DC transients, while others focus on just one type of transient.
Gas tube arrestors are designed to be tough and reliable and can be used indoors and outdoors. Many are designed with anti-corrosion features such as stainless steel housings. The use of self-extinguishing materials and flame retardants ensures safe operation even in high-temperature environments. Most arrestors have either visible or audible indicators that allow them to be tested visually or audibly to test for faults.
Gas tube arrestors are an essential component in any circuits protection system. They are designed to provide protection for valuable electrical and electronic equipment from power surges by quickly responding to transient over-voltage and arcs. High-quality gas tube arrestors are essential for any industrial, commercial or residential application to ensure safety, reliability and performance.
