Research On The Classification Of Surge Protectors Based On Working Principles

Based on their operating principles, they can be classified as voltage switching, voltage limiting, and combination types.

(1) Voltage switching surge protective device. They exhibit high impedance in the absence of transient overvoltage. Once they respond to a lightning transient overvoltage, their impedance suddenly changes to low impedance, allowing the lightning current to pass. They are also called "short-circuit switching" types.

(2) Voltage limiting surge protector. They exhibit high impedance in the absence of transient overvoltage, but decrease as surge current and voltage increase. Their current-voltage characteristics are strongly nonlinear, and they are sometimes called "clamping" types.

(3) Combination surge protection device. Combining voltage switching and voltage limiting components, they can exhibit voltage switching, voltage limiting, or both characteristics, depending on the characteristics of the applied voltage.