2026-07-C18

Gas Discharge Tube Arresters (GDT) are specific protection devices, which are commonly used in medium voltage applications, to protect against shock hazard and damage caused by lightning strike. GDTs are widely used to protect sensitive electronic equipment from overvoltages or power surges. These arresters are designed to dissipate energy via a spark gap, which helps to protect equipment from electrical faults and damaging surges.

GDTs are designed to detect and absorb transient surges of electricity. They are simple devices, consisting of two electrodes separated by a noble gas. The electrode structure is mainly composed of a cathode material (copper, silver, aluminum, etc.) and noble gas (argon, air, nitrogen etc). The electrodes and the gas are held in an evacuated envelope, which is designed to interrupt a surge in case of overvoltage and then reset itself.

When a surge of electricity enters the GDT, electrons from the cathode material ionize the surrounding noble gas, creating an arc in between the two electrodes. The arc dissipates the surge of electricity by providing an easier conductive path for it to travel, thereby protecting the connected equipment from damage.When the surge stops, the ionization disappears. The passage of electrons will then return to normal and the GDT will reset itself.

GDTs are widely used to protect against power surges and prevent damage from electrical circuits. They are most commonly encountered in power supplies, telecom equipment, industrial controls, motor controllers, consumer electronics, and home automation systems. In addition, these arresters can also be used in commercial and industrial building wiring, HVAC systems, circuit breaker systems, and other applications involving low voltage electronics.

GDTs are also used in surge protector devices to help protect against lightning strikes, power outages, and voltage spikes. These devices are typically connected directly to power lines, equipment, and other vulnerable systems, and provide added protection to valuable equipment. GDTs can also be used in consumer electronics, such as PCs, home entertainment systems, and other appliances.

GDTs are also increasingly being used in the automobile industry, to protect vehicle electronic systems from voltage surges that can occur due to lightning strikes. These arresters can also be used in other electrical systems, such as medical equipment and communication systems, to protect against surge damage.