Patent ID: 6111740
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: H01T,H02H

Abstract:
Overvoltage protection system with an overvoltage protection element and an ignition aid for triggering the overvoltage protection element, the overvoltage protection element having two main electrodes and an air-breakdown spark gap between the main electrodes; wherein the ignition aid comprises an ignition circuit with an ignition voltage output, the overvoltage protection element has at least one ignition electrode in an ignition spark gap between the main electrodes, the ignition electrode being connected to the ignition voltage output of the ignition circuit; wherein the ignition circuit comprises an ignition capacitor an ignition switching element an ignition transformer and an input circuit comprising the ignition capacitor; and wherein the input circuit forms a voltage divider which produces a voltage drop at the ignition capacitor which is smaller than a voltage applied to the input circuit.