Multiple-Pin Connector with Internal Surge Protection

The design and performance characteristics of a multiplepin electronic surge arrestor (Bulk ESA) are described. This device is a simple, compact unit providing electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and lightning protection of systems in which many signal lines enter sensitive electronic equipment. Basically since it takes one device to protect each wire entering a system, the efficient packaging of the Bulk ESA provides a surge arrestor which has the advantages of space saving, low cost, and simplified assembly over the use of cuffent protective devices which range from diodes to large spark gaps. The multiple-spark-gap (Bulk ESA) protector developed is a sealed chamber containing 53 inline spark gaps. Each end of the chamber contains a standard 53-pin connector. The sealed chamber is filled with argon gas at 12-mm pressure, to which a trace of radioactive gas is added to stabilize the breakdown and enhance the fast-rise response. The Bulk ESA can be integrated with an EMI filter-pin connector which, in turn, can improve the performance of the Bulk ESA. These two assemblies provide a method to help protect against EMP, lightning, EMI, and TEMPEST effects