Patent ID: 6252754
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: H01R,H02H,H04M

Abstract:
Overvoltage protection apparatus adapted to be connected to an AC power line, an AC neutral and a ground for protecting against overvoltage conditions appearing on the AC power line without the use of a trigger device, the apparatus comprising:(a) at least one MOV directly connected between the AC power line and the AC neutral, the MOV being normally non-conducting but becoming conducting when the voltage across the MOV exceeds a predetermined level;(b) at least one gas discharge tube connected between the AC neutral and the ground, the gas discharge tube being normally non-conducting but becoming conducting when the voltage across the gas discharge tube exceeds a predetermined level, the gas discharge tube substantially eliminating leakage current through the MOV;(c) an AC power plug adapted to be plugged into an AC outlet, the AC power plug having a first conductor for connection to the AC power line, a second conductor for connection to the AC neutral and a third conductor for connection to the ground;(d) a plurality of female outlets, each outlet having first, second and third conductors connected, respectively, to the first, second and third conductors of the AC power plug; and(e) first and second overvoltage and overcurrent protection circuits adapted to be connected in series with a high speed data line and to the ground for protecting the high speed data line from overvoltage and overcurrent conditions appearing thereon.