Fail-safe/surge arrester systems

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Abstract An electrical surge arrester protects electrical power lines and telephones from excessive voltage as may occur in the presence of lighting. The arrester is formed of a gas filled, cylindrical, housing enclosing two cylindrical electrodes which are spaced apart by a gap. In the presence of high voltage, the gas in the gap breaks down through ionization to provide an electrically conducting path between the electrodes. Spring type electrical contacts are spaced from the electrodes by a fusible insulating material. Upon sustained arcing heat of the arc melts the fusible, material permitting contact between the electrodes and the spring contacts which provide an electrical short …