A thermally protected metal oxide varistor includes a body, a first electrode, a thermal fuse, and a glue. The body is made up of a crystalline microstructure including zinc oxide mixed with one or more other metal oxides. The first electrode is located on one side of the body and is connected to a first lead wire. The thermal fuse is connected between the first electrode and the first lead wire. The glue is to be deposited over the thermal fuse as well as over a top portion of the first lead wire.

A thermally protected metal oxide varistor includes a body, a first electrode, a thermal fuse, and a glue. The body is made up of a crystalline microstructure including zinc oxide mixed with one or more other metal oxides. The first electrode is located on one side of the body and is connected to a first lead wire. The thermal fuse is connected between the first electrode and the first lead wire. The glue is to be deposited over the thermal fuse as well as over a top portion of the first lead wire.

In one embodiment a varistor may include a ceramic body. The varistor may further comprise a multilayer coating disposed around the ceramic body. The multilayer coating may include an outer layer comprising an epoxy material. The multilayer coating may also include an inner layer that is adjacent the ceramic body and is disposed between the outer layer and the ceramic body. The inner layer may comprise a polymeric material that is composed of an acrylic component.

In one embodiment a varistor may include a ceramic body. The varistor may further comprise a multilayer coating disposed around the ceramic body. The multilayer coating may include an outer layer comprising an epoxy material. The multilayer coating may also include an inner layer that is adjacent the ceramic body and is disposed between the outer layer and the ceramic body. The inner layer may comprise a polymeric material that is composed of an acrylic component.

A voltage nonlinear resistor according to the present invention includes a sintered body consisting essentially of zinc oxide and containing bismuth, antimony, and boron as accessory components. The accessory components are bismuth oxide of 1.5 to 2.5 mol %, antimony oxide of 1 to 2 mol %, and boron oxide of 0.3 mol % or less in terms of oxides.

A voltage nonlinear resistor according to the present invention includes a sintered body consisting essentially of zinc oxide and containing bismuth, antimony, and boron as accessory components. The accessory components are bismuth oxide of 1.5 to 2.5 mol %, antimony oxide of 1 to 2 mol %, and boron oxide of 0.3 mol % or less in terms of oxides.

A voltage nonlinear resistive element includes a resistor containing a joined body in which a zinc oxide ceramic layer composed mainly of zinc oxide and having a volume resistivity of 1.010.sup.1 cm or less is joined to a bismuth oxide layer composed mainly of bismuth oxide, and a pair of electrodes disposed on the resistor such that an electrically conductive path passes through a joint surface between the zinc oxide ceramic layer and the bismuth oxide layer. In this element, the zinc oxide ceramic layer of the joined body has a lower volume resistivity than before. This can result in a lower clamping voltage in a high-current region than before.

A voltage nonlinear resistive element includes a resistor containing a joined body in which a zinc oxide ceramic layer composed mainly of zinc oxide and having a volume resistivity of 1.010.sup.1 cm or less is joined to a bismuth oxide layer composed mainly of bismuth oxide, and a pair of electrodes disposed on the resistor such that an electrically conductive path passes through a joint surface between the zinc oxide ceramic layer and the bismuth oxide layer. In this element, the zinc oxide ceramic layer of the joined body has a lower volume resistivity than before. This can result in a lower clamping voltage in a high-current region than before.

The voltage nonlinear resistive element includes a resistor containing a joined body in which a zinc oxide ceramic layer composed mainly of zinc oxide and having a volume resistivity of less than 1.010.sup.2 cm is joined to a rare-earth metal oxide layer composed mainly of a rare-earth metal oxide, and a pair of electrodes disposed on the resistor such that an electrically conductive path passes through a junction between the zinc oxide ceramic layer and the rare-earth metal oxide layer. In this element, the zinc oxide ceramic layer of the joined body has a lower volume resistivity than before. This can result in a lower clamping voltage in a high electric current region than before.

The voltage nonlinear resistive element includes a resistor containing a joined body in which a zinc oxide ceramic layer composed mainly of zinc oxide and having a volume resistivity of less than 1.010.sup.2 cm is joined to a rare-earth metal oxide layer composed mainly of a rare-earth metal oxide, and a pair of electrodes disposed on the resistor such that an electrically conductive path passes through a junction between the zinc oxide ceramic layer and the rare-earth metal oxide layer. In this element, the zinc oxide ceramic layer of the joined body has a lower volume resistivity than before. This can result in a lower clamping voltage in a high electric current region than before.