A laminated varistor includes a varistor layer, a first internal electrode provided on an upper surface of the varistor layer, a second internal electrode provided on a lower surface of the varistor layer and facing the first internal electrode across the varistor layer in upward and downward directions, a first external electrode provided on a first side surface of the varistor layer and electrically connected to the first internal electrode, and a second external electrode provided on a second side surface of the varistor layer and electrically connected to the second internal electrode. The first internal electrode is extended from the first external electrode in a first extension direction. The first internal electrode includes first electrode strips arranged in a first arrangement direction perpendicular to the first extension direction and spaced apart from one another. This laminated varistor has improved surge-resistant characteristics.

A multilayer varistor includes a sintered body and a first internal electrode, a second internal electrode, a third internal electrode, and a fourth internal electrode which are disposed in the sintered body. The first internal electrode, the second internal electrode, the third internal electrode, and the fourth internal electrode are arranged in an order of the first internal electrode, the third internal electrode, the fourth internal electrode, and the second internal electrode from a side of a first main face. The third internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode are electrically connected to each other. At least part of the first internal electrode and at least part of the third internal electrode overlap each other when viewed in a third direction. At least part of the second internal electrode and at least part of the fourth internal electrode overlap each other when viewed in the third direction.

A multilayer varistor includes a sintered body and a first internal electrode, a second internal electrode, a third internal electrode, and a fourth internal electrode which are disposed in the sintered body. The first internal electrode, the second internal electrode, the third internal electrode, and the fourth internal electrode are arranged in an order of the first internal electrode, the third internal electrode, the fourth internal electrode, and the second internal electrode from a side of a first main face. The third internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode are electrically connected to each other. At least part of the first internal electrode and at least part of the third internal electrode overlap each other when viewed in a third direction. At least part of the second internal electrode and at least part of the fourth internal electrode overlap each other when viewed in the third direction.

A field grading composite body includes a polymeric matrix and a particulate filler distributed within the polymeric matrix. Particles of the particulate filler include a core formed from a semiconductor material, an oxide mixed layer deposited on the core, and conducting oxide layer. The conducting oxide layer deposited on the oxide mixed layer to provide an electrical percolation path through the polymeric matrix triggered by strength of an electric field extending through the field composite body. Conductors and methods of making field grading composite bodies for conductors are also described.

A varistor can include a monolithic body including a plurality of dielectric layers stacked in a Z-direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction. The monolithic body can have a first end and a second end that is spaced apart from the first end in the longitudinal direction. A first external terminal can be disposed along the first end. A second external terminal can be disposed along the second end. A first plurality of electrodes can be connected with the first external terminal and can extend from the first end towards the second end of the monolithic body. A second plurality of electrodes can be connected with the second external terminal and can extend from the second end towards the first end of the monolithic body. At least one of the first external terminal or the second external terminal can include a conductive polymeric composition.

A varistor can include a monolithic body including a plurality of dielectric layers stacked in a Z-direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction. The monolithic body can have a first end and a second end that is spaced apart from the first end in the longitudinal direction. A first external terminal can be disposed along the first end. A second external terminal can be disposed along the second end. A first plurality of electrodes can be connected with the first external terminal and can extend from the first end towards the second end of the monolithic body. A second plurality of electrodes can be connected with the second external terminal and can extend from the second end towards the first end of the monolithic body. At least one of the first external terminal or the second external terminal can include a conductive polymeric composition.

A varistor array can include a monolithic body including a plurality of dielectric layers. A first varistor can be formed in the monolithic body. The first varistor can include a first external terminal on a first end of the monolithic body, a first plurality of electrodes connected with the first external terminal, a second external terminal on a second end of the monolithic body, and a second plurality of electrodes connected with the second external terminal. The second plurality of electrodes can be interleaved with the first plurality of electrodes and can overlap the first plurality of electrodes at an overlapping area that is insensitive to a relative misalignment between the first plurality of electrodes and the second plurality of electrodes when the misalignment is less than a threshold. A second varistor can be formed in the monolithic body that is distinct from the first varistor.

A varistor array can include a monolithic body including a plurality of dielectric layers. A first varistor can be formed in the monolithic body. The first varistor can include a first external terminal on a first end of the monolithic body, a first plurality of electrodes connected with the first external terminal, a second external terminal on a second end of the monolithic body, and a second plurality of electrodes connected with the second external terminal. The second plurality of electrodes can be interleaved with the first plurality of electrodes and can overlap the first plurality of electrodes at an overlapping area that is insensitive to a relative misalignment between the first plurality of electrodes and the second plurality of electrodes when the misalignment is less than a threshold. A second varistor can be formed in the monolithic body that is distinct from the first varistor.

A varistor includes an effective layer having first and second surfaces opposite to each other, a first ineffective layer stacked on the first surface of the effective layer, a second ineffective layer stacked on the second surface of the effective layer, and an external electrode. The effective layer includes a ceramic layer having a polycrystalline structure including crystal particles exhibiting voltage nonlinear characteristics, and internal electrodes stacked alternately on the ceramic layer. The thickness of the second ineffective layer is equal to or more than 1.1 times a thickness of the first ineffective layer and equal to or smaller than 6 times the thickness of the first ineffective layer. This varistor has a small size and excellent surge resistance.

A varistor includes an effective layer having first and second surfaces opposite to each other, a first ineffective layer stacked on the first surface of the effective layer, a second ineffective layer stacked on the second surface of the effective layer, and an external electrode. The effective layer includes a ceramic layer having a polycrystalline structure including crystal particles exhibiting voltage nonlinear characteristics, and internal electrodes stacked alternately on the ceramic layer. The thickness of the second ineffective layer is equal to or more than 1.1 times a thickness of the first ineffective layer and equal to or smaller than 6 times the thickness of the first ineffective layer. This varistor has a small size and excellent surge resistance.