Electrical characteristics

A varistor metal oxide remains non-conductive as a shunt-mode device during normal operation when the voltage across it remains well below its "clamping voltage", thus varistors are typically used for suppressing line voltage surges. However, a polymer arrester may not be able to successfully limit a very large surge from an event like a lightning strike where the energy involved is many orders of magnitude greater than it can handle. Follow-through current resulting from a strike may generate excessive current that completely destroys the varistor.

Lesser surges still degrade it, however. Degradation is defined by manufacturer's life-expectancy charts that relate current, time and number of transient pulses. The main parameter affecting varistor life expectancy is its energy (Joule) rating. As the energy rating increases, its life expectancy typically increases exponentially, the number of transient pulses that it can accommodate increases and the "clamping voltage" it provides during each transient decreases. The probability of catastrophic failure can be reduced by increasing the rating, either by using a single varistor of higher rating or by connecting more devices in parallel. A varistor is typically deemed to be fully degraded when its "clamping voltage" has changed by 10%. In this condition it is not visibly damaged and it remains functional (no catastrophic failure).

Electrical characteristics of varistor metal oxide

A varistor metal oxide remains non-conductive as a shunt-mode device during normal operation when the voltage across it remains well below its "clamping voltage", thus varistors are typically used for suppressing line voltage surges. However, a polymer arrester may not be able to successfully limit a very large surge from an event like a lightning strike where the energy involved is many orders of magnitude greater than it can handle. Follow-through current resulting from a strike may generate excessive current that completely destroys the varistor.

Lesser surges still degrade it, however. Degradation is defined by manufacturer's life-expectancy charts that relate current, time and number of transient pulses. The main parameter affecting varistor life expectancy is its energy (Joule) rating. As the energy rating increases, its life expectancy typically increases exponentially, the number of transient pulses that it can accommodate increases and the "clamping voltage" it provides during each transient decreases. The probability of catastrophic failure can be reduced by increasing the rating, either by using a single varistor of higher rating or by connecting more devices in parallel. A varistor is typically deemed to be fully degraded when its "clamping voltage" has changed by 10%. In this condition it is not visibly damaged and it remains functional (no catastrophic failure).

GIS Arresters

If the low-pressure side of the distribution transformer is not installed MOA, when the high-pressure side discharge lightning current polymer arrester to the earth when the grounding device to produce a pressure drop, the pressure drop through the distribution transformer housing while in the neutral point of the low pressure side of the winding. Therefore, low-voltage winding of the lightning arrester current will flow through the high-voltage winding turns ratio induced by a high potential (up to 1000 kV), the potential will thunder and high-voltage side winding voltage is superimposed, causing the high-voltage winding neutral point potential increased insulation breakdown near the neutral point. If the low-pressure side mounted MOA, MOA discharge when the potential of the high-pressure side grounding means is increased to a certain value, the low-pressure side xatge MOV begins to discharge, the low pressure side coil outlet and where the potential difference between the end point and the housing is reduced, so that to eliminate or reduce the impact of "anti-conversion" potential.