Article
Article
Varistor
Article By:
Lesk, I. A. Motorola Inc., Phoenix, Arizona.
Last reviewed:January 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.728200
Any two-terminal solid-state device in which the electric current I increases considerably faster than the voltage V. This nonlinear effect may occur over all, or only part, of the current-voltage characteristic. It is generally specified as I∝Vn, where n is a number ranging from 3 to 35 depending on the type of varistor. The main use of varistors is to protect electrical and electronic equipment against high-voltage surges by shunting them to ground. See also: Electric protective devices
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