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I often see GDTs are used in series with varistors, like this

enter image description here

E100 is a 1500V/10A GDT, and RV100 is a 1.1KV diode varistor.

For this circuit, I have two question

  1. What's the benefit to combine them in series?
  2. What's the purpose of the 0.01uF capacitor?
diverger
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1 Answers1

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The GDT has effectively no leakage current, up to the voltage it's specified to, and very low capacitance. That's why it is used next to the line.

Unfortunately when a GDT fires, the arc has very low resistance, so is not good at dissipating a large amount of energy. This is where the varistor comes in. The varistor will tend to be able to sustain a higher voltage while conducting, allowing the transient on the line to be absorbed, rather than reflected which is what a GDT would do by itself.

A varistor tends have a higher capacitance than a GDT, so if the line is sensitive to capacitive loading, carrying high speed data for instance, it cannot be connected directly to the line.

The capacitor is to protect the varistor from very large, very short transients. If you check the specifications of the individual components, you will probably find that the GDT can safely switch much more current than the varistor can absorb. Although it won't handle all eventualities, the capacitor 'hardens' the circuit, it will survive a greater range of fault conditions.

The resistors are to discharge the capacitor, the varistor may not do this fully. Two resistors are used in series to allow lower voltage rating (cheaper) resistors to be used.

Neil_UK
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  • When an ESD event occur, which one come into conduction first? The GDT or the varistor? Can you give some details? – diverger Mar 06 '16 at 06:57
  • This circuit cannot work in ESD. You need schottky diodes for ESD event. because GDT take time to respond in milliseconds(its is a mechanical arc forming process) – user3718359 Jan 03 '18 at 06:36