Printed circuit board sparkgap

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) sparkgap utilizing one or more surface mount devices (SMDs) (210;310) wherein the conductive ends (230;320) and solder fillets (220;320) of the SMDs form one or more conductive electrodes of the spark gap (400) and the SMDs help absorb electrical and thermal energy during an arc-over.

Description: Field Of The Invention This invention relates to sparkgaps for protecting electrical circuits and especially sparkgaps associated with a printed circuit board. Background Of The Invention A sparkgap intended to protect a circuit from the damaging effects of a high voltage surge by providing a shunting path for the surge prior to the circuit. The sparkgap determines the point within the circuit for transient or surge discharge and determines the specific potential of such a discharge. The location of desired discharge is determined by the circuitry involved, the source of such transients and the preferred discharge path. The differential voltage necessary for discharge is determined by the spacing between the two conductive points comprising the sparkgap. The required discharge potential is established by determining the transient or surge sources and the protection level desired, which, for example, may be determined by regulatory requirements. Prior spark gap technologies include discrete sparkgaps (Figures 1A and 1B) or the more cost effective printed circuit board (PCB) sparkgaps (Figures 2A and 2B). Discrete sparkgaps are generally constructed with leads terminating within a body of glass, ceramic or plastic at respective conductive surfaces with a fixed spacing therebetween. There are two categories of discrete spark gaps, one sealed with a controlled atmosphere as shown in Figure 1A, and the other, unsealed at normal atmosphere as shown in Figure 1B. Both of these types require a sizable amount of room for mounting (e.g., on a PCB) and both require careful physical placement and orientation during mounting due to spacing and other mechanical considerations. Discrete spark gaps, while tending to be more costly than printed circuit spark gaps, are somewhat more durable and normally exhibit a more controlled discharge potential. It is well known to construct printed circuit boards (PCBs) comprising one or more layers of a rigid or flexible insulator (e.g., fiberglass or plastic) and one or more layers of a conductive material (e.g., copper or conductive ink) where various circuit components are electrically connected by conductive "traces." As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, a PCB sparkgap utilizes conductive traces (e.g., copper) of the PCB which are positioned at a fixed distance from each other and a provide a controlled point for discharge of the unwanted transient or potential. The PCB sparkgap may have a slot punched in the board laminate between the nodes, depending upon the voltage potentials and energy involved. PCB sparkgaps are relatively easy to accurately and repetitively manufacture since there are few variables introduced through physical tolerancing and placement (in contrast to discrete sparkgaps). PCB sparkgaps provide predictable operation and are relatively inexpensive, costing perhaps little more than the actual cost of the board material. A disadvantage of the printed circuit board sparkgap is evident upon repeated discharges, catastrophic events, or long term constant discharge. In these situations the printed circuit board surface and the copper foil quickly degrade with respect to the spacing between conductive nodes due to vaporization of foil. As the gap spacing increases the voltage potential required for an arc across the gap increases and the location of the arc may be less controlled. Additionally, the board laminate may sustain damage during catastrophic and long term discharge due to the intense heat which may result from such an event. There are several techniques useful in improving the PCB sparkgap. For example, the problems associated with foil vaporization may be delayed by increasing the foil thickness or, in a PCB slot type of sparkgap, by increasing the length of the slot (while retaining the same width). Unfortunately, the area of the PCB required to implement a sparkgap increases with this technique and the vaporization will eventually degrade performance. Another technique is the use of multiple gaps spaced serially such that the energy of the spark is dissipated over two gaps (Figure 2B). This technique also slows foil degradation at the expense of PCB area. GB-A-1 468 132 discloses increasing the insulation between two adjacent electrically conductive members by providing an aperture in the printed circuit board therebetween. DE 3 011 465 A describes a spark gap device. The spark gap comprises a pair of metal balls disposed on a pair of opposed electrodes. It is therefore seen to be desirable to provide a spark gap which eliminates or reduces the previously described limitations of prior art sparkgaps. Summary Of The Invention This invention concerns an improvement to the type of PCB sparkgap described above which utilizes surface mount devices (SMDs) which are oriented end-on to one another and soldered to respective PCB conductors of the spark gap. Brief Description Of The Drawings The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which: FIGURES 1 and 2, previously referred to, show sparkgaps of the type known in the prior art; FIGURE 3A shows the plan and side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 3B shows the plan and side view of an alternate embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 4 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 5 shows the plan and side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURE 3A; and FIGURE 6 shows the plan and side view of another alternate embodiment of the invention. Like reference designation in the various Figures refer to the same or similar elements. Detailed Description Referring to Figures 3A and 5, an embodiment of PCB sparkgap according to the teachings of the invention is illustrated. The PCB includes a non-conductive substrate or laminate 100 and a conductive layer including conductors 200 and 300 formed on laminate 100. Conductors 200 and 300 are spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another to form a spark gap 400. Spark gap 400 is enhanced by the addition of surface mount devices (SMDs) 210 and 310 which have been soldered to conductors 200 and 300, respectively. Gap 400 as illustrated includes a slot punched through laminate 100. However, it is not necessary for the practice of the invention to punch such a slot. SMD 210 is electrically and mechanically connected to conductor 200 via solder fillet 220 and solder fillet 221 at conductive ends 230 and 231. SMD 310 is electrically and mechanically connected to conductor 300 via solder fillet 320 and solder fillet 321 at conductive ends 230 and 231. The actual gap 400 across which the electrical energy in the form of a spark will travel is formed initially by the space between conductors 200 and 300. These conductors may experience some vaporization such that they erode to where the gap is formed between SMD 210 and SMD 310. The amount of conductor between an SMD and the edge of the conductor is determined by the placement tolerance of the SMD process used and the formation of the solder fillets. A first electrode of spark gap 400 is formed by conductor 200 and solder fillet 220 and a second electrode is formed by conductor 300 and solder fillet 320. A spark will jump from one electrode to the other when the differential voltage potential between the two electrodes exceeds a level dependent upon the width of the gap and the dielectric strength of the material (e.g., air in the case of a slot, or fiberglass). The conductive foil between SMD 210 or 310 may be shaped to provide a defined point such that solder fillets 220 and 320 flow into this shape. In this manner the location of arcing and consequently the differential voltage level required to induce arcing may be more tightly controlled. This defined point encourages discharge at the desired potential and location, in contrast to a rounded or broad discharge surface which will be less controlled. Considering only the first electrode, the electrical energy presented to the electrode due to arc-over will be dissipated by conductor 200, solder fillet 220 and conductive end 230 of SMD 210. In addition, heat generated by (among other factors) the I2R losses within the conductive materials of the electrode will be transferred to any adjacent materials, such as SMD 210 and laminate 100. In the prior art spark gap of Figure 2A, the electrical and thermal energies would be dissipated by the copper and laminate alone, resulting in erosion of conductor and laminate, as previously described. By using surface mount devices, and their associated solder fillets and conductive ends, the mass available to absorb the heat from the copper is increased and the damage to the copper and adjacent laminate is minimized. In addition, the larger cross sectional area provided by the solder fillets and conductive ends directly reduces I2R losses by lowering the resistance to current flow during an arc-over, thereby reducing the amount of heat generated. The invention may be practiced with, as illustrated in the Drawings, or without the "short circuiting" of SMD 210 and SMD 310 by conductors 200 and 300 respectively. However, the additional copper under the SMDs provides additional protection by both lowering electrical resistance (i.e., lower I2R losses) and increasing thermal mass (i.e., absorbing more heat without damage). Further increases in thermal mass may be realized by using different solder compounds. For example, a particular solder compound might be selected because of its high specific heat characteristic. A particular solder compound might also be selected because of a particular flow or cure characteristic, whereby an unusually thick solder joint might be formed. The SMDs used may be soldered to the coppers layers of a PCB using the standard techniques and tolerances. For example, wave or reflow methods, vapor phase and infra-red techniques. In addition, the actual component type of SMD used is not critical where the device is "short circuited" as described above. Where the device is not "short circuited," component selection is more important and a low impedance component (e.g., a jumper type of SMD) is an appropriate selection. As a practical matter, it has been found that SMD resistors tend to be more mechanically solid than SMD capacitors and are therefore more desirable, but either may be used. In a similar manner, the tolerance of the device selected is not critical. As such electrically rejected parts may still be used if they retain suitable mechanical characteristics (i.e., not cracked, etc...). In addition, SMDs need not be specifically stocked for use in spark gaps, and SMDs ordered for other purposes may be employed. The invention may also be practiced using the configuration of Figure 4, where two opposing SMDs are used to form sparkgap 400. Variations of the arrangement of Figure 4 are shown in Figures 3A and 3B. Figure 3A shows a first pair 210A,B of SMDs mounted on first conductor 200 opposing a second pair 310A,B of SMDs mounted on second conductor 300, with sparkgap 400 comprising the two opposing SMD pairs. This configuration provides some redundancy wherein there are two defined surfaces for arc-over. By providing two of such surfaces the durability of the sparkgap is increased since any significant degradation in the defined surfaces of one set of opposing SMDs will eventually result in arcing between the other set of opposing SMDs. Figure 3B shows a further enhancement of the arrangement shown in Figure 3A. A third pair 510A,B of SMDs mounted on a third conductor 500 between the first 210A,B and second pairs 310A,B of SMDs mounted, forming a second sparkgap 400B. This arrangement allows for a division of the arc-over energy between the two gaps 400A and 400B, thereby reducing the stresses on the individual elements comprising the sparkgaps. For example, assuming identical arc-over voltages, the single spark gap in the arrangement of Figure 3A will necessarily be wider than either of the two spark gaps in the arrangement of Figure 3B and the thermal and electrical energies dissipated will be dissipated by fewer components in the arrangement of Figure 3A. Therefore, the arrangement of Figure 3B allows higher energy sparking than the arrangement of Figure 3A without increasing the degradation of the associated components. The invention may also be practiced using the configuration of Figure 6, where a first 210A SMD and, optionally, a second 210B SMD are mounted on first conductor 200 opposing a second conductor 300. The sparkgap 400 comprises the gap between the first conductor, including the conductive surfaces of the one or more SMDs mounted to it, and the second conductor. This embodiment improves upon the prior art by providing increased protection from arc-induced damage to one side of the spark gap. When compared to prior PCB spark gaps, cost increases will be minimal, essentially consisting of the cost of two or more SMDs and their placement on the PCB. In addition, the use of SMDs instead of the discrete spark gap of Figure 1A takes advantage of the benefits of surface mounting techniques (e.g., accurate and repeatable component placement, etc...). The SMD placement should been chosen such that the worst case combination of mechanical tolerance and placement errors of the selected placing/soldering process will guarantee that there is always to be some amount of conductor uncovered by the component at the gap edge. The purpose of this placement is to both guarantee solder connection and a defined point for initial discharge start. A sparkgap may be constructed using either 0805 or 1206 SMD components. For example, tests conducted on an embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 3A having SMD pair end to end placement accuracy of approximately 0.127 mm (0.5 mil) and side to side (center-line to center-line) clearance of approximately 2.54 mm (100 mil) have provided good results. The placement process guidelines call for 0.508 mm (20mils) of copper beyond the end of a SMD, although this distance may be decreased depending on, for example, the level of protection sought. Due to SMD mounting process factors (e.g., adjacent component solder) side to side center line clearancing should adhere to 2.286 mm (90 mil) center-line to center-line for the 0805 size SMD and 2.54 mm (100mil) center-line to center-line for the 1206 size SMD. The end clearance required to achieve a 0.127 mm (5mil) solder fillet also provides ample electrical and mechanical connection. Experiments including repetitive transients and surges of performed upon the arrangement of Figure 3A with the above physical dimensioning have been performed with very satisfactory results. Testing conducted consisted of over 20 surges @ 6kV and 0.51µF using jumper type SMDs. The conductor was found to have suffered virtually no degradation. Similar experiments performed on the prior art arrangement of Figure 2A resulted in significant degradation of copper. The inventive sparkgap has been shown to be useful as both a transient and a continuous discharge device.

Claims: Sparkgap characterized in that one or more first surface mount devices (210A, 210B) each having a first planar surface that is disposed upon a first conductive surface (200), and that the first conductive surface (200) and the one or more first surface mount devices (210A, 210B) are separated from a second conductive surface (300) by a predetermined distance (400) and cooperating with said second conductive surface (300) to form therebetween a gap susceptible to electrical arcing. Sparkgap according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more second surface mount devices (310A, 310B) each having a first planar surface that is disposed upon the second conductive surface (300), such that the one or more second surface mount devices (310A, 310B) on the second conductive surface (300) are separated from the one or more fist surface mount devices (210A, 210B) on the first conductive surface (200) by a predetermined distance (400). Sparkgap according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second conductive surfaces (200, 300) are disposed on a non-conductive substrate (100).

Inventors: WEST CHARLES EDWARD, WEST, CHARLES EDWARD
Applicants: THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H05K1
IPC codes: H05K3, H01T4, H05K1