Radioactive resistance of some commercial gas filled surge arresters in /spl gamma/ and X-rays field

Summary form only given. Resistance to the occurrence of over-voltage is significantly reduced through miniaturization of electronic components. Therefore, more attention is paid to the protection of over-voltage components at low-voltage level. The gas filled surge arresters (GFSA) is the most efficient nonlinear over-voltage protection components. GFSA operate on the principle of electrical breakdown of a gas, which is a consequence of self-sustained avalanche processes that depends on the relative activity of electron generation and loss mechanisms. Working point of GFSA is located close to the minimum of Paschen curve, i.e. it corresponds to small pressure values and small inter-electrode gap values. The stability of GFSA characteristic is of great importance, particularly, if the device is operating in high risk conditions, i.e. when the radiation influence must be taken into account. The aim of this paper is to examine the radioactive reliability of some commercial GFSA in pulse regime. The influences of /spl gamma/ and X radiation on GFSA pulse shape characteristic were examined by applying "surface-time" law. Chronological series and histograms of the measured GFSA breakdown voltage were presented in this work. For the experimental purposes, we have used specimens consisting of fifty commercial components of a single manufacturer, having identical characteristics. The dose rate and the pulse speed were used as variables. The measurement methodology was based on strictly controlled laboratory conditions and statistical experiment organization.