Varistors: Ideal solution to surge

protection

Electromagnetical Compatibility

Michal Jankow
Wroclaw University of Technology
Outline
Varistor
The Fundamentals & Theory
Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV)
Multi Layer Varistor (MLV)
Application examples
Manufacture’s technical specification
References
Varistor

A varistor is :
a variable resistor –
a voltage dependent,
non-linear device –
whose resistance
decreases as the
voltage applied
across the device or
terminals increases.
Varistor

Or it can also be
described as a
device that:

• At low voltages has

an extremely high
resistance
• At high voltages has
a very low resistance
Overvoltage Protection Theory

• Under normal
operating conditions,
the overvoltage device
appears as a high
impedance device.
• Under overvoltage
operating conditions,
the overvoltage device
appears as a low
impedance device
Varistor – V-I characteristic

The V-I characteristic

curve enable
varistors to provide
fast transient
voltage
suppression.
I = KVα
V-I characteristic
What varistors don’t do

Varistors provides no equipment protection from:

 Inrush current (during equipment start-up)

What varistors don’t do

Varistors provides no equipment protection from:

 Inrush current (during equipment startup),

What varistors don’t do

Varistors provides no equipment protection from:

 Inrush current (during equipment start-up)

 Voltage sags

(also know as a dropout, brownout, blackout)

What varistors don’t do

Varistors provides no equipment protection from:

 Voltage sags (also know as a brownout),
What varistors don’t do

Varistors provides no equipment protection from:

 Inrush current

 Voltage sags

 Overcurrent (created by a short circuit)

 Varistors neither senses nor controls such events

Outline
MOV – Metal Oxide Varistor

• MOVs are made of:

ZnO, Sik
• Grains form “p-n
diode junctions” that
allow current to flow
in one direction
• Diode junctions they
perform like opposing
diodes in series.
MLV – Multi Layer Varistor
Outline
Application

MOVs:
 Power Supply
Protection
Application

MOVs:
 Power Supply
Protection
 Line Voltage
Protection
Application

MOVs:
 Power Supply
Protection
 Line Voltage
Protection
 Appliacne Protection
Application

MOVs:
 Power Supply
Protection
 Line Voltage
Protection
 Appliacne Protection
 Security System
Protection
Application
MOVs:
 Power Supply Protection
 Line Voltage Protection
 Appliacne Protection
 Security System Protection
 Motor Protection
Application
MOVs:
 Power Supply Protection
 Line Voltage Protection
 Appliacne Protection
 Security System
Protection
 Motor Protection
 Data Line Protection
Application

MLVs:
• Protecting board level
components from ESD
damge
• MVLA Series is ideal for
low frequency and
signal line application
• MVLB Series is optimal
for higher freq.
Applications
Outline
Technical Specification
Varistors: Ideal Solutions to Surge Protection

Electromagnetic Compatilibity
Michal Jankow

THANK YOU
Reference

• Free Encyclopedia www.wikipedia.org

• Cooper Bussmann www.cooperbussmann.com
• Tyco Electronics www.circuitprotection.com
• Google Search Engine www.google.com
• Digi-Key Corporation
www.parts.digikey.com/1/parts-kws/epcos-inc-va-
• Littelfuse
www.littelfuse.com/company/news-item.html?News