ZNR vs MOV for surge suppression

argofanatic · 26th September 2005, 05:10 PM

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 · 27th September 2005, 03:59 PM

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 · 27th September 2005, 07:45 PM

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 · 27th September 2005, 08:10 PM

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 · 27th September 2005, 08:41 PM

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 · 27th September 2005, 09:20 PM

Thanks again.

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

mzzj · 2nd October 2005, 08:56 AM

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.

26th September 2005, 05:10 PM	#1
argofanatic diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Quebec, Canada	ZNR vs MOV for surge suppression 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.

27th September 2005, 03:59 PM	#2
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	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. __________________ regards Andrew T.

27th September 2005, 07:45 PM	#3
peranders Electrons are yellow and more is better! diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Göteborg, Sweden Blog Entries: 4	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. __________________ /Per-Anders (my first name) or P-A as my friends call me

27th September 2005, 08:41 PM	#5
peranders Electrons are yellow and more is better! diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Göteborg, Sweden Blog Entries: 4	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 __________________ /Per-Anders (my first name) or P-A as my friends call me

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27th September 2005, 08:10 PM	#4
argofanatic diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Quebec, Canada	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 !

27th September 2005, 09:20 PM	#6
argofanatic diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Quebec, Canada	Thanks again. I had never seen these before. GDT's (Gas Discharge Tube) look like the way to go.

2nd October 2005, 08:56 AM	#7
mzzj diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: 65N 25E	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.

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