2029-23-SM-RPLF

Gas Discharge Tube Arresters (GDT)

Gas Discharge Tube Arresters (GDT) is a type of surge arrester used to protect electrical circuits and components from lightning and other transient overvoltage conditions. GDTs are a type of arc-over arrester, and they use a gas-filled, dielectric-lined tube to break the circuit when a surge or transient voltage exceeds its breakdown voltage. This design also includes a parallel spark gap that works in series with the GDT to quickly conduct any large transient current.

The 2029-23-SM-RPLF application field and working principle of GDT can be broken down into two parts: first, the application field; and second, the working principle.

Application Field

GDTs are most widely used in outdoor applications and can be used to protect not just electronic equipment but also communication and power lines, as well as individual polymer housing. GDTs are also suitable for protecting distribution lines, in order to minimize the chance of backflow current (step and touch potential) that can cause accumulation of electrostatic energy upstream of the protected area. In addition, GDTs can be used in places such as data centers, electric substations, power plants, airports, and seaports.

Working Principle

GDTs operate using the arc-over principle. A gas-filled dielectric-lined tube filled with metal, such as nickel, is placed in series between two electrodes. When voltage on either of the two electrodes increases, it causes an electric current to flow through the metal within the tube, creating an ionized arc-over. The arc-over can extinguish itself once the over voltage is absent, and so it works protect the circuit from any high voltage surges.

GDTs also contain spark gap elements in parallel with the arc-over tube. This spark gap element creates a low impedance path for large transient current, ensuring that such current is released quickly from the tube. This is necessary for both fast reactivity and to avoid overcharging the gas-filled dielectric-lined tube, which would otherwise result in destruction or instability of the arrester.

In conclusion, Gas Discharge Tube Arresters (GDT) is an ideal surge arrester for various electrical systems and components due to its arc-over and spark gap operation modes. GDTs are suitable for protecting distribution lines, as well as outdoor electrical equipment such as data centers, electric substations, power plants, airports and seaports from transient overvoltage conditions such as lightning and other surges.