A spark gap circuit includes a circuit board. The spark gap circuit also includes an input configured to connect to the circuit board and to receive signals. The spark gap circuit also includes a spark gap configured to connect to the circuit board and the input. The spark gap circuit also includes an output configured to connect to the spark gap. The spark gap is configured to cause a return loss between the input and the output to be within a first predetermined range. The spark gap is configured to cause a parasitic capacitance between the input and the output to be within a second predetermined range.

To protect memory cards, such as SD type cards, and similar devices from Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), the input pads of the device include points along their edges that are aligned with correspond points on a conductive frame structure mounted adjacent the input pad to form a spark gap. The input pads are connected to a memory controller or other ASIC over signal lines that include a diode located between the input pad and the ASIC and a resistance located between the input pad and the diode. The resistance and diode are selected such that an ESD event at an input pad triggers a discharge across the spark gap before it is transmitted on to the ASIC, while also allowing a high data rate for signals along the signal line.

A lightning protection apparatus disposed in a photovoltaic power generation system includes first lightning protection units in a one-to-one correspondence with phase lines at a to-be-protected location in the photovoltaic power generation system and a second lightning protection unit connected in series to the first lightning protection units. A first terminal of each first lightning protection unit is connected to a corresponding to-be-protected phase line, and a second terminal of each first lightning protection unit is connected to a first terminal of the second lightning protection unit. A second terminal of the second lightning protection unit is connected to an earth wire. The second lightning protection unit includes at least one gas discharge tube.

An arrester for lightning protection of electrical equipment or power transmission lines is disclosed. The arrester comprises an insulating body made of a dielectric and five or more electrodes mechanically connected to the insulating body and arranged to allow the formation of an electric discharge between adjacent electrodes under the influence of lightning overvoltage. The electrodes are located inside the insulating body and separated from its surface by a layer of insulation. Adjacent electrodes exit into discharge chambers having outlets to the surface of the insulating body. At least a part of the discharge chambers is provided with pressurizing chambers located near the electrodes and connected to the discharge chambers through the discharge gaps between adjacent electrodes. Thanks to the invention, the discharge arc is extinguished after the passage of the lightning overvoltage pulse before the follow current having the industrial frequency passes through zero, mainly immediately after the lightning overvoltage pulse.

An arrester for lightning protection of electrical equipment or power transmission lines is disclosed. The arrester comprises an insulating body made of a dielectric and five or more electrodes mechanically connected to the insulating body and arranged to allow the formation of an electric discharge between adjacent electrodes under the influence of lightning overvoltage. The electrodes are located inside the insulating body and separated from its surface by a layer of insulation. Adjacent electrodes exit into discharge chambers having outlets to the surface of the insulating body. At least a part of the discharge chambers is provided with pressurizing chambers located near the electrodes and connected to the discharge chambers through the discharge gaps between adjacent electrodes. Thanks to the invention, the discharge arc is extinguished after the passage of the lightning overvoltage pulse before the follow current having the industrial frequency passes through zero, mainly immediately after the lightning overvoltage pulse.

Electrical protection devices, such as for use with power systems for overvoltage protection, are disclosed. One electrical protection device includes a first electrical connection, a second electrical connection, a first electrical discharge device, and a second electrical discharge device. The first electrical discharge device includes a first conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a second conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The first electrical discharge device has a first breakdown voltage. The second electrical discharge device includes a third conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a fourth conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The second electrical discharge device has a second breakdown voltage.

Electrical protection devices, such as for use with power systems for overvoltage protection, are disclosed. One electrical protection device includes a first electrical connection, a second electrical connection, a first electrical discharge device, and a second electrical discharge device. The first electrical discharge device includes a first conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a second conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The first electrical discharge device has a first breakdown voltage. The second electrical discharge device includes a third conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a fourth conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The second electrical discharge device has a second breakdown voltage.

A network apparatus architecture is disclosed that includes one or more isolation circuits to accommodate a predetermined isolation voltage. Each isolation circuit enables an independent DC voltage to be selected along a network signaling path to accommodate different DC voltages of network circuits along the network signaling path. For example, DC isolation may be provided between a physical interface and a network circuit via one or more capacitors, optoelectronic isolators, coupled magnetic devices, or semiconductor devices. A network circuit may be powered by a power supply that is isolated from the rest of the network apparatus. The one or more isolation circuits and network circuits may be included in a system-on-chip, or application-specific integrated circuit.

A method for preventing an electrical grid from failure in case of a temporary overvoltage includes providing an electrical grid line, a surge arrester and a disconnector device with a disconnector unit. The method further includes connecting the surge arrester at one terminal to the electrical grid line, connecting the surge arrester at its other terminal to a first terminal of the disconnector device, and connecting a second terminal of the disconnector device to ground potential. The method further includes interrupting the electrical connection in between the electrical grid line and the ground potential in response to a temporary overvoltage. The method further includes protecting the surge arrester from failure due to a thermal overload caused by the temporary overvoltage by operating the disconnector device before the surge arrester fails due to a thermal overload of the surge arrester.

A method for preventing an electrical grid from failure in case of a temporary overvoltage includes providing an electrical grid line, a surge arrester and a disconnector device with a disconnector unit. The method further includes connecting the surge arrester at one terminal to the electrical grid line, connecting the surge arrester at its other terminal to a first terminal of the disconnector device, and connecting a second terminal of the disconnector device to ground potential. The method further includes interrupting the electrical connection in between the electrical grid line and the ground potential in response to a temporary overvoltage. The method further includes protecting the surge arrester from failure due to a thermal overload caused by the temporary overvoltage by operating the disconnector device before the surge arrester fails due to a thermal overload of the surge arrester.