What is a gas discharge tube arresters?

Gas Discharge Tubes (GDTs) are used to protect personnel and sensitive equipment from hazardous transient voltages. Bourns® GDTs are used in primary and secondary applications and can withstand multiple applications of high surge current energy in excess of 25 KA.

How do you test for GDT?

Using a current-limited high voltage DC Power supply and multimeter in combination, or a specialized tool which measures the “activation voltage” of GDTs and other voltage-limiting components like diodes or MOVs, it is possible to verify the operation of any GDT based arrestor.

What is the function of gas discharge tube?

Gas discharge tubes dissipate voltage transients through a contained plasma gas. They have high insulation resistance plus low capacitance and leakage to ensure minimal effect on normal operation of equipment.

What is the use of lightning arrester?

A lightning arrester (alternative spelling lightning arrestor) (also called lightning Isolator) is a device used on electric power transmission and telecommunication systems to protect the insulation and conductors of the system from the damaging effects of lightning.

What is a spectrum tube?

Spectrum tubes are glass tubes filled with a gas, usually that of an element or small molecule. As the electrons relax, they emit light-a characteristic color for each gas. When students view the lighted tube through a spectroscope, they can observe the unique set of spectral lines for each gas.

Can a gas discharge tube be used as a lightning protector?

An image of a ceramic discharge tube is shown below. Take a look. There will be conduction inside the GDT’s due to ionization of gas molecules. Each GDT have a specific voltage and current rating. A simple lightning protector circuit is given below.

What kind of device is a gas discharge arrestor?

Gas Discharge Arrestors. Another common surge protection device is a gas discharge arrestor, or gas tube. These tubes do the same job as an MOV — they divert the extra current from the hot line to the ground line. They do this by using an inert gas as the conductor between the two lines.

How does a gas discharge tube ( GDT ) surge arrestor work?

Gas Discharge Tube (GDT) Surge Arrestors operate as a voltage dependent switch. When a voltage appears across the device that is greater than its rated DC breakdown voltage the gas in the GDT will begin to ionize and conduct until is reaches it’s Impulse Sparkover Voltage.

When do you need a gas discharge tube?

Gas Discharge Tube (GDT) Surge Arrestors. Gas Discharge Tubes (GDTs) are used to protect personnel and sensitive equipment from hazardous transient voltages.