# Varistor

## What is a Varistor?

A varistor is a voltage dependent resistor (VDR). The resistance of a varistor is variable and depends on the voltage applied. The word is composed of parts of the words “variable resistor. Their resistance decreases when the voltage increases. In case of excessive voltage increases, their resistance drops dramatically. This behavior makes them suitable to protect circuits during voltage surges. Causes of a surge can include lightning strikes and electrostatic discharges. The most common type of VDR is the metal oxide varistor or MOV.

## Definition

Varistors are nonlinear two-element semiconductors that drop in resistance as voltage increases. Voltage dependent resistors are often used as surge suppressors for sensitive circuits.

## Packages

Here are some examples of different varistor packages. The block packages are used for higher power ratings.

## Characteristics

A voltage dependent resistor has a nonlinear varying resistance, dependent on the voltage applied. The impedance is high under nominal load conditions, but will sharply decrease to a low value when a voltage threshold, the breakdown voltage, is exceeded. They are often used to protect circuits against excessive transient voltages. When the circuit is exposed to a high voltage transient, the varistor starts to conduct and clamps the transient voltage to a safe level. The energy of the incoming surge is partially conducted and partially absorbed, protecting the circuit.

The most common type is the MOV, or metal oxide varistor. They are constructed of a sintered matrix of zinc oxide (ZnO) grains. The grain boundaries provide P-N junction semiconductor characteristics, similar to a diode junction. The matrix of randomly oriented grains can be compared to a large network of diodes in series and parallel. When a low voltage is applied, only very little current flows, caused by the reverse leakage through the junctions. However when a high voltage is applied, which exceeds the breakdown-voltage, the junctions experience an avalanche breakdown and a large current can flow. This behavior results in the nonlinear current-voltage characteristics.

The relationship between the current (I) through and the voltage (V) across the terminals, is typically described by:

$$I = k · V^{\alpha}$$

The term α describes the degree of non-linearity. The figure below shows the characteristic curves of a MOV (high α) and SiC varistor (low α).

Important selection parameters are the clamping voltage, peak current, maximum pulse energy, rated AC/DC voltage and standby current. When used on communications lines, the stray capacitance is also an important parameter. A high capacitance can act as a filter for high frequency signals or induce crosstalk, limiting the available bandwidth of the communications line.

Varistors are useful for short duration protection in case of high transient voltage surges in the order of 1-1000 microseconds. They are however not suitable for handling sustained surges. If the transient pulse energy, measured in joules (J), significantly exceeds the absolute maximum ratings, they can melt, burn or explode.

MOVs degrade when exposed to repeated surges. After each surge the MOVs clamping voltage moves a little lower; how much depends on the joule rating of the MOV in relation to the pulse. As the clamping voltage falls lower and lower, a possible failure mode is a partial or complete short circuit in which the clamping voltage falls below the protected line voltage. This situation could lead to a fire hazard. To prevent fire hazards, they are often connected in series with a thermal fuse which disconnects the MOV in case of overheating. To limit the degradation, it is advisable to use a clamping-voltage as high as the protected circuit allows, to limit the amount of exposure to surges.

## Applications

The nonlinear characteristic of the varistor make them ideal for use as surge protector devices. Sources of high voltage transients can include lightning strikes, electrostatic discharge (ESD), or inductive discharge from motors or transformers. Therefore, varistors are often used in surge protector power strips. Special types with a low capacitance protect communication lines. These VDRs are useful for a wide variety of applications that can include:

• Telephone and other communication line protection
• Radio communication equipment transient suppression
• Surge protector power strips
• Cable TV system surge protectors
• Power supply protection
• Microprocessor protection
• Electronics equipment protection
• Low voltage board level protection
• Transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS)
• Car electronics protection
• Industrial high energy AC protection

## Types

The most important types are:

• Metal oxide varistor – Described above, the MOV is a nonlinear transient suppressor composed of zinc oxide (ZnO)
• Silicon carbide varistor – At one time this was the most common type before the MOV came into the market. These components utilize silicon carbide (SiC). They have been intensively used in high power, high voltage applications. The disadvantage of these devices is that they draw a significant standby current. Therefore, a series gap is required to limit the standby power consumption.

Alternate types of surge suppressing devices include:

• Selenium cells – These suppressors use selenium rectifiers allowing a high-energy reverse breakdown current. Some selenium cells have self-healing properties that allow them to withstand high-energy discharges. They, however, do not have the clamping ability of modern MOVs.
• Zener diodes – A transient suppression device that utilizes silicon rectifier technology. They have a very constant clamping voltage. The major drawback of Zener diodes is that they have a limited energy dissipation capability.
• Crowbar devices - A crowbar device short-circuits a surge to ground. This short-circuit will continue until the current is below a certain very low level. Creating a lagging or power-follow effect. Examples of crowbar devices are:
• Gas discharge tube (GDT) or spark gap - These devices conduct after a conducting spark is created, the disadvantage is that they take a relative long time to trigger, the advantage is the large current carrying capabilities.
• Thyristor surge protection device (TSPD) - have similar characteristics to a GDT, but can act much faster.

## Varistor Symbol

The following symbol is used for a varistor. It is depicted as a variable resistor which is dependent on voltage, U.

Varistor symbol (IEC standard)

Books

Online