Gas discharge tubes (GDTs) are compact surge protection components designed to safeguard electronic equipment from high-voltage surges. These devices protect against transient voltage spikes, such as those from lightning strikes or power fluctuations. A gas discharge tube is a sealed glass or ceramic tube filled with a mixture of gas, typically comprising two electrodes. When the voltage across the electrodes exceeds a certain level, the gas ionizes, becoming conductive and allowing the excess voltage to pass through, thus protecting the circuitry beyond the tube from the surge.
Benefits of Using Our Range of GDTs:
GDTs effectively shunt the excess energy away from sensitive components. Our product portfolio includes multiple GDTs with various mounting options, including surface mount, socket mount, axial, radial, and through-hole discharge tubes, offering a range of benefits, such as:
- High Surge Handling Capability: Our GDTs can handle high-energy transients, making them suitable for areas with frequent electrical storms or unstable power supplies.
- Fast Response Time: They activate within nanoseconds, providing immediate protection against surges.
- Long Lifespan: GDTs do not degrade after multiple operations, ensuring long-term reliability.
- Low Capacitance: They offer very low capacitance, which has a minimal impact on the circuit's normal operation.
- Versatility: Available in various sizes and specifications to meet different requirements.
Popular Types of Gas Discharge Tubes:
GDTs are classified into various types based on the number of electrodes, insulation capacities, and designs. Some standard types include:
- Two-Electrode GDTs: A two-electrode gas discharge tube is the most common tube that consists of two electrodes sealed within a glass envelope filled with inert gas. It is commonly used in basic surge protection.
- Three-Electrode GDTs: These tubes feature an additional electrode designed to control the triggering voltage. Three-electrode GDTs are used for higher voltage applications and provide balanced protection in multi-line environments.
- High Insulation GDTs: These components are designed for environments where a high insulation resistance is required when the device is non-conducting.
- Miniature GDTs: These are compact versions for space-sensitive applications.
Where are Gas Discharge Tubes Used?
Gas discharge tubes are widely used across multiple sectors and applications where protection from lightning-induced surges and other transient events is paramount. Some typical applications include:
- Telecommunications
- Power Supplies
- Industrial Applications
- Consumer Electronics
- Automotive Electronics
- Network Systems
- Medical Equipment
- Energy Systems.