GB966760A - An electrical surge diverter - Google Patents

Abstract

966,760. Protective arrangements. LICENTIA PATENT - VERWALTUNGS - G.m.b.H. Dec. 21, 1960 [Dec. 28, 1959], No. 43891/60. Heading H2H. [Also in Division H1] An annular disc made from resistive material is divided into two crescent-shaped resistors by metallic coatings 2, 3, separated by two coating- free areas and deposited on both faces of the disc. The two resistors so formed are connected by a series connecting strip 4 which passes through the disc's central bore 5. The bore 5 houses an arc gap comprising electrodes 6, 8, having connecting lugs 7, 9, secured to a supporting ring 10. A series of compound resistors 1, 12 &c. are stacked on top of one another with interposed insulating discs 11, 15 &c. The lug 7 connects the upper metallic coating 2 of the right-hand compound resistor 1 to the electrode 6 and the lug 9 connects the lower coating 13 of the compound disc 12 to the electrode 8. When a high voltage causes break-down of the gap formed by the electrodes 6, 8, the two electrically independent compound resistors are series-connected as the current through the disc is very high compared with that through the two coating free areas 22 on the disc. To obtain uniform distribution of voltage across the gaps 6, 8, the gap resistance may be controlled by shunt resistors or by a suitable choice of the material used for the electrode supporting member 10. The electrodes 6, 8, together with their lugs 9, 7, and arc gap control resistors 10 may form a unitary structure with the insulating disc 11. An alternative surge diverter configuration might consist of a stack wherein only every alternate compound resistor receives arc gap electrodes in each bore.