Service Limits for Metal Oxide Varistors Having Cylindrical Symmetry as Function of the Ambient Temperature

Abstract

This article presents an original experimental method applied to assess the stability limits of a given Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV), with cylindrical symmetry (cylinder or disk shape), as a direct relation between the ambient temperature and the service rated voltage, in the permanent operational regime. As the crossing current of a certain varistor is heavily influenced by its physical temperature, we must find an empirical relationship between these two parameters for a symmetrical configuration. Each ambient temperature can increase the temperature reference and any higher voltage will also produce an increased current, causing a uncontrolled runaway heating process, in an avalanche model. We tried to eliminate any references to technical dimensions or device values, focusing on material parameters. In the case of a symmetric MOV, we will consider the load coefficient, which is the ratio between the service DC voltage and the nominal DC opening voltage. By using experimental measurements and a simple mathematical model, we will establish the relation between the critical load coefficient and the ambient temperature in the case of symmetrical MOVs. This procedure could be applied to the design of more performant and safe surge arrester devices using existing MOVs, for all voltage levels and symmetrical configurations.

Keywords

• metal oxide varistor
• load coefficient
• environmental temperature