Analysis of Negative Differential Resistance and Energy Consumption at Transient Surge Response against Winter Lightning for MOVs, ABDs, and TSSs

Abstract

Abstract surge protective components (SPCs) such as metal oxide varistors (MOVs), avalanche breakdown diodes (ABDs), and thyristor surge suppressors (TSSs) have been widely used in low-voltage power distribution systems, in main AC power lines inside of appliances, electrical, and electronic systems, or signaling and telecommunication lines in ICT equipment to protect them against lightning surges. The maximum transient clamping voltage and surge-handling capability are important parameters to determine the ability of the SPCs. They are determined by the negative differential resistance, which depends on the steepness and wave-tail of the applied lightning surge waveform, especially characterized by winter lightning. The transient surge responses of SPCs were analyzed, and the mechanisms of negative differential resistance were clarified. Negative differential resistance was caused by the lead wire inductance in MOVs, the positive temperature coefficient of breakdown voltage in ABDs, the dependence on temperature of the Auger recombination, and the carrier mobility in TSSs. Clamping voltage and surge-handling capability designs considering inductance in the lead wire and the dependence on temperature during self-heating are important to apply to SPCs so that they can withstand high energy winter lightning with a long wave tail.