The main technology types of today’s surge protection devices are gas tube arrestors and solid-state devices.

The main differences between these are technology and price.So why pay more for the better technology of solid-state? simple—to protect your sensitive equipment.

Today, equipment is extremely sensitive to surges whereas older electro-mechanical equipment could handle most types of surges fairly well.Solid-state devices therefore are critical to ensure that today’s equipment remains protected. The main technology difference between the two devices is clamping time, or the time it takes to remove the surge off the line. Gas tubes take 4,000 to 5,000 nanoseconds, whereas solid-state devices take only 2 to 5 nanoseconds. This time equates to distance with the relation of 1 nanosecond equal to 1 foot down the conductive path.

Therefore, if you use gas tube protectors, your equipment will see the surge in almost all cases, but going with solid-state will keep you protected. Solid-state arrestors are superior in speed, voltage control, and long life. Following are more reasons why you should go with Solid-state.

Solid-state

Solid-state arrestors provide fast, precise, and long lasting protection. These protectors provide a premium alternative to gas tube protectors for central office, building entrance, and other applications.

Fast clamping at low voltages can significantly reduce failure rates for both protector units and surge sensitive equipment. Improved protector reliability makes solid-state protectors ideal for critical service lines.

Solid-state protectors have precise break over voltage and low power dissipation due to the low on-state voltage. Upon reaching the specified breakdown voltage, the solid-state arrestors switch to a low-voltage on-state, shorting tip and ring to ground. Conduction and power dissipation continues until the fault current drops below the holding current. The normal off-state condition is high impedance, low leakage state that prevents loading of the telecommunications line.