Patent ID: 6144543
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: H01T

Abstract:
A grounding device for providing a grounding path for a voltage surge and for maintaining the grounding path for subsequent voltage surges, comprising:a mounting base having a terminal connectable to electronic common ground for establishing a grounding path;a tip conductor terminal;a ring conductor terminal;an electronic module connected to said tip terminal and said ring terminal;a tip current surge sensor connected between said tip terminal and said mounting base for providing grounding of current surges between said tip terminal and said mounting base;a ring current surge sensor connected between said ring terminal and said mounting base for providing grounding of current surges between said ring terminal and said mounting base;a voltage surge discharge member connected between said electronic module and said mounting base for discharging the voltage surge through said grounding path, said electronic module being moveable between a first position in physical contact with said discharge member for connecting to the grounding path and thus allowing discharge of the voltage surge, and a second position spaced from the discharge member and the grounding path when the voltage surge occurs; anda biasing member for urging said electronic module from said second position to said first position in physical contact with said discharge member for providing discharge of the voltage surge and of subsequent voltage surges from said electronic module through the grounding path.