Xref: utzoo rec.ham-radio:5571 sci.electronics:3515
Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!wa3wbu!john
From: john@wa3wbu.UUCP (John Gayman)
Newsgroups: rec.ham-radio,sci.electronics
Subject: MOV's
Message-ID: <614@wa3wbu.UUCP>
Date: 1 Aug 88 20:29:49 GMT
Organization: WA3WBU, Marysville,PA
Lines: 17


     Can anyone privide me with an explaination of the operation of
Metal Oxide Varistors (MOV's) ?  I'm mainly interested in confirming
something that I read which indicated a MOV was an accumulating device.
Such that if you had a 100 joule MOV, it could take a 100 joule hit or
two 50 joule hits. Does a MOV in fact accumulate its energy or does it
require an energy surge equal to its rating to damage it ?  Any information
is appreciated. I'm mainly trying to characterize their usefulness in
surge protection devices. Thanks.

						John


-- 
John Gayman, WA3WBU              |           UUCP: uunet!wa3wbu!john
1869 Valley Rd.                  |           ARPA: wa3wbu!john@uunet.UU.NET 
Marysville, PA 17053             |           Packet: WA3WBU @ AK3P