Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors

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MA_PE

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Hello.

I have a couple of questions regarding TVSS & Current Limiting Overcurrent Protective Devices.

1. Is a Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor classified as a Current Limiting Overcurrent Protective Device?

2. If a TVSS is not classified as a Current Limiting Overcurrent Protective Device, can anyone tell me the difference in the levels of protection that each offers?

Thanks.
 
And additional info to #2:

Differences exist in levels of clamping voltage (max voltage allowed to remain after clamping the surge); amount of energy (usually measured in joules) that the devices can handle without failing; and finally the modes, like L-L, L-N, L-G.

Basically you want: (for a 120v TVSS for example)

Lowest clamping voltage (400 volts is common, 330 volts is better);
Highest energy in joules handled;
and all three modes suppressed.
 
Is there a standard in these clamping voltages? For an AC system, you'd need the clamping voltage above the peak voltage of the waveform or it would quickly burn out. So if they say clamping is 330V, does that mean it is usable for system up to 329VAC RMS (which has voltage peaks of 465V) or 233VAC (which peaks it waveform at 330 V)?
 
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