Importance

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Abstract

A modular overvoltage protection unit for electrically connecting a first power line and/or a second power line to a protected earth (PE) line in the case of an overvoltage event on the first or second power line includes a unit enclosure defining an enclosure cavity, and first and second surge protection devices (SPDs) each disposed in the enclosure cavity. Each of the first and second SPDs includes: a first electrode in the form of a metal housing defining a housing cavity; a second electrode disposed within the housing cavity; and a varistor member captured between and electrically connected with each of the first and second electrodes, wherein the varistor member is formed of a varistor material. The overvoltage protection unit further includes: a first line terminal to connect the first power line to the overvoltage protection unit, wherein the first line terminal is electrically connected to the second electrode of the first SPD; a second line terminal to connect the second power line to the overvoltage protection unit, wherein the second line terminal is electrically connected to the second electrode of the second SPD; and a PE terminal to connect the PE line to the overvoltage protection unit, wherein the PE terminal is electrically connected to the metal housing of the second SPD. The metal housing of the first SPD is electrically connected to the PE terminal through the metal housing of the second SPD.

First Claim