Patent ID: 8531811
Filing Date: 2013-09-10
Classification: H02H

Abstract:
1. A clamping control circuit for controlling or reducing a maximum clamping voltage of a surge protection device (SPD), the SPD including a main suppression network connected between a protected line carrying electrical current from a power source to a load and a return or earth ground connection, the main suppression network including a main voltage limiting device connected directly to a voltage switching device, the circuit comprising: a second voltage limiting device connected in parallel with the voltage switching device, the second voltage limiting device limiting voltage overshoot by the voltage switching device above its breakdown voltage responsive to an occurrence on the protected line of a combination wave having a surge current waveform that lags a surge voltage waveform that exceeds the maximum clamping voltage of the SPD; and a capacitor connected in parallel with the main voltage limiting device and directly connected to the second voltage limiting device, the capacitor providing a bypass path for electrical current and voltage potential to the voltage switching device.