Patent ID: 7969277

Claim:
A nonlinear resistor ceramic composition comprising: a major component containing zinc oxide; a first minor component containing an oxide of a rare-earth metal; a second minor component containing an oxide of Ca; and a third minor component containing an oxide of Si; wherein a percentage of the second minor component to 100 moles of the major component is in the range of 2 atomic %≦the second minor component<80 atomic % in terms of Ca; wherein a percentage of the third minor component to 100 moles of the major component is in the range of 1 atomic %≦the third minor component<40 atomic % in terms of Si; and wherein an atomic ratio of Ca to Si (Ca/Si) is not less than 1; and wherein a composite oxide synthesized by a reaction between Ca and Si makes a second phase different from a first phase mainly containing zinc oxide, and the composite oxide is present at crystal grain boundaries of the zinc oxide.