A switch assembly for high voltage applications, where the switch assembly includes a traditional mechanical switch and a triggered gap device electrically coupled in parallel. The mechanical switch includes a first switch contact and a second switch contact, where one or both of the first switch contact and the second switch contact are movable to engage and disengage the first and second switch contacts to allow or prevent current flow therethrough. The triggered gap device includes a vacuum enclosure, a first stationary contact positioned within the enclosure and a second stationary contact positioned within the enclosure, where a gap is defined between the first and second stationary contacts. The triggered gap device further includes a plasma control device that allows creation of a plasma in the gap that causes an arc between the stationary contacts on the order of micro-seconds that allows current flow between the contacts.

A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, a gas discharge tube (GDT) mounted in the module housing, and a fail-safe mechanism mounted in the module housing. The GDT includes a first GDT terminal electrically connected to the first module electrical terminal and a second GDT terminal electrically connected to the second module electrical terminal. The fail-safe mechanism includes: an electrically conductive shorting bar positioned in a ready position and repositionable to a shorting position; a biasing member applying a biasing load to the shorting bar to direct the shorting bar from the ready position to the shorting position; and a meltable member. The meltable member maintains the shorting bar in the ready position and melts in response to a prescribed temperature to permit the shorting bar to transition from the ready position to the shorting position under the biasing load of the biasing member. In the shorting position, the shorting bar forms an electrical short circuit between the first and second GDT terminals to bypass the GDT.

A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, a gas discharge tube (GDT) mounted in the module housing, and a fail-safe mechanism mounted in the module housing. The GDT includes a first GDT terminal electrically connected to the first module electrical terminal and a second GDT terminal electrically connected to the second module electrical terminal. The fail-safe mechanism includes: an electrically conductive shorting bar positioned in a ready position and repositionable to a shorting position; a biasing member applying a biasing load to the shorting bar to direct the shorting bar from the ready position to the shorting position; and a meltable member. The meltable member maintains the shorting bar in the ready position and melts in response to a prescribed temperature to permit the shorting bar to transition from the ready position to the shorting position under the biasing load of the biasing member. In the shorting position, the shorting bar forms an electrical short circuit between the first and second GDT terminals to bypass the GDT.

A composite electronic component includes an element part and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection part disposed on the element part. The ESD protection part includes first and second discharge electrodes having a gap formed therebetween, a discharge layer disposed between the first and second discharge electrodes and in the gap, and a multilayer insulating layer covering the discharge layer and including at least two insulating layers having different breakdown voltage (BDV) values.

A composite electronic component includes an element part and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection part disposed on the element part. The ESD protection part includes first and second discharge electrodes having a gap formed therebetween, a discharge layer disposed between the first and second discharge electrodes and in the gap, and a multilayer insulating layer covering the discharge layer and including at least two insulating layers having different breakdown voltage (BDV) values.

An insulator arrangement for an overhead line includes a suspension insulator for securing an overhead line to a tower and a line arrester arrangement which is disposed electrically parallel to the suspension insulator. The line arrester arrangement has a surge arrester, which is electrically connected to ground or earth potential, and a spark gap, which is connected to the surge arrester in series and which includes a first spark electrode connected to the overhead line and a second spark electrode connected to the surge arrester. The line arrester arrangement has an assembly or mounting insulator which can be secured to the overhead line. The first spark electrode is secured to a first securing device at a first end of the assembly or mounting insulator, and the second spark electrode is secured to a second securing device at a second end of the assembly or mounting insulator.

A varistor component and a method for securing a varistor component are disclosed. In an embodiment a varistor component includes a first external contact, a second external contact, a varistor electrically connected to the first external contact, a path between the varistor and the second external contact and an active releasing device having a shutter and a heat sensitive element, wherein, under abnormal operation conditions, the heat sensitive element releases the shutter, and the shutter moves along a straight line and closes the path between the varistor and the second external contact.

A varistor component and a method for securing a varistor component are disclosed. In an embodiment a varistor component includes a first external contact, a second external contact, a varistor electrically connected to the first external contact, a path between the varistor and the second external contact and an active releasing device having a shutter and a heat sensitive element, wherein, under abnormal operation conditions, the heat sensitive element releases the shutter, and the shutter moves along a straight line and closes the path between the varistor and the second external contact.

Provided is a one-touch terminal for electric connection of an electric cable to industrial electrical equipment including a lightning arrester. The one-touch terminal includes a metal fitting cap and a biter capable of fastening and electrically connecting any of various electric cables (5 m PDC, etc.) including a lead wire to an upper-electrode-integrated-type coupling socket or to a coupling portion of an upper-electrode-separated-type metal fitting body of a lightning arrester in a one-touch manner. The metal fitting cap, in which a wedge-type biter having an elastic-pressing-type biting/releasing structure is mounted, is detachably mounted to a metal fitting body (or a coupling socket), thereby rapidly and precisely performing electric connection (fastening) of an electric cable (5 m PDC, etc.) to any of various connection metal fittings (a bushing terminal, a terminal clamp, a bus-bar-type terminal board, etc.).

Provided is a one-touch terminal for electric connection of an electric cable to industrial electrical equipment including a lightning arrester. The one-touch terminal includes a metal fitting cap and a biter capable of fastening and electrically connecting any of various electric cables (5 m PDC, etc.) including a lead wire to an upper-electrode-integrated-type coupling socket or to a coupling portion of an upper-electrode-separated-type metal fitting body of a lightning arrester in a one-touch manner. The metal fitting cap, in which a wedge-type biter having an elastic-pressing-type biting/releasing structure is mounted, is detachably mounted to a metal fitting body (or a coupling socket), thereby rapidly and precisely performing electric connection (fastening) of an electric cable (5 m PDC, etc.) to any of various connection metal fittings (a bushing terminal, a terminal clamp, a bus-bar-type terminal board, etc.).