BSPS2255TN

Gas Discharge Tube Arresters (GDT) are components that are used to protect sensitive electronic components against excessive surges in electricity. They consist of two metal electrodes with a gas-filled tube between them. When a surge voltage passes through the electrodes, the gas in the tube breakdowns and dissipates the otherwise damaging surge. The internals of a GDT are based on the principle of spark gap. For more powerful surge protection applications, some GDTs are equipped with a number of spark gaps and a current limiting resistor.

BSPS2255TN is an example of a GDT. It is a nonlinear, two-electrode, gas-filled spark gap arrester, designed to offer superior surge protection capabilities for naval, aerospace and industrial electronic systems. It provides protection from indirect lightning strokes, electrostatic discharges and other susbtation-imposed transients. The surge response time of the BSPS2255TN is fast, typically 8 microseconds or less. The steady state voltage withstand capability of this arrester exceeds 10kV, making it well-suited for high voltage applications.

The working principle of the BSPS2255TN revolves around its ability to capture transients and provide temporary matching of the high voltage that passes through it. When the voltage exceeds its threshold, an electron flow from one electrode to the other is triggered, ionizing the gas inside the GDT. This allows the current to flow through the device and be safely dissipated, by creating an impedance the surge current has to pass through. This phenomenon momentarily ruptures the power flow, avoiding potential damage to other components in the circuit.

In order to function properly, the valve needs to be activated in advance. This is done by connecting the ground terminal to the negative terminal, in order to create a path for the surge current to travel through. The resistor’s role is to limit the current through the GDT and prevent it from arcing. This allows it to provide immediate protection to the sensitive components that may be connected to it.

The BSPS2255TN is therefore an ideal choice for protection in mil-spec, nuclear, and other industrial environments. Its fast response time ensures higher levels of reliability and protection in systems where transients are more common. It can be used in applications such as aircrafts, power supplies, industrial automation systems, power grids, etc. It is available in both through-hole and surface mount configurations, providing versatile installation options for designers.