ZNR vs MOV for surge suppression

[argofanatic]

I'd like to add a little lightning protection to my projects but I'm a little confused over the choice between ZNR's and MOV's. They seem to offer the same protection.

Can anyone offer advice on choosing between the two.
I'm running off North American 120V

Thanks.

 

[AndrewT]

Hi,
I think because MOVs are designed for surge absorption they will perform better than Zeners (ZNR?)
Ther are some other materials available now that do a similar job.

 

[peranders]

I think you should consider surge arresters (I think they are called that) with neon (small tube with neon). They can take even more than a VDR.

 

[argofanatic]

Thanks for the replies, I guess ZNR's aren't as popular as MOV's.
They are not zeners, I can see how that association was made
They are ZnO Varistors "Transient/Surge absorbers"

Panasonic ZNR

Maybe I'll stick in a couple of MOV's and ZNR's each on the lines, just to be sure !

 

[peranders]

If you live out in the country a VDR or zener won't take a direct hit of a lightning. Then you must use those gas tubes and it's not sure they protect to 100% either.

http://www.elfa.se/pdf/60/06050009.pdf

 

[argofanatic]

Thanks again.

I had never seen these before.
GDT's (Gas Discharge Tube) look like the way to go.

 

[mzzj]

actually better combine all of them. GDT+varistor is pretty standard.
GDT's are bit slow and have high ignition voltages, smaller spikes are left to varistor. And in some cases you can find also a TAZ-diode(transient absorbtion zener diode) handy as they are even faster.