Comparative study of various surge arrester modules for low voltage networks

The paper discusses a comparative study of the performance, under permanent and transitory working conditions, of various modules for the protection of low-voltage electrical installations against overvoltages. Four types of module were studied: (i) a ZnO varistor alone; (ii) a series association of a varistor with an air gap; (iii) two varistors in series: one of which can be short-circuited by the air gap; and (iv) a combination of the first and the second in parallel.<>