Withstand Performance of Varistors Against High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse

In recent years, the widespread use of sensitive electronic device has heightened the risk of component damage from external electromagnetic fields. For example, intense electromagnetic fields in the frequency range of 200 MHz to 5GHz are known to cause upset or damage to electronic systems [1]. In this paper, multilayer varistors, employed particularly as protective components against EMC problems associated with electrostatic discharges (ESD), are evaluated assuming invasion of High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP). In particular, this study focuses on evaluation of degradation characteristics of multilayer varistors subjected to early-time HEMP-type conducted IEMI pulses.