Hi
I have opened up an expensive mains surge protection device to see what was inside. I was expecting to see VDR , GAS and transient diodes.
But no! this was inside (see pic) and the surface has been filed off.
It looks like a ceramic transient device but I cant be sure, ive trawled the internet and cant find anything like it.
Its across L-N and no other components are on the pcb.
So any help on what it actually is and where I can get some from would be appreciated .
Brent
I have opened up an expensive mains surge protection device to see what was inside. I was expecting to see VDR , GAS and transient diodes.
But no! this was inside (see pic) and the surface has been filed off.
It looks like a ceramic transient device but I cant be sure, ive trawled the internet and cant find anything like it.
Its across L-N and no other components are on the pcb.
So any help on what it actually is and where I can get some from would be appreciated .
Brent
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
I get an error message... "could not open the page “http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2514/megaclampou3.jpg” because the server stopped responding." 
Looks like it could have been coated by the manufacturer to hide its identity? 😕
I suspect that a lot of the commercial mains conditioners/surge protectors could be "cloned" for much less than the retail price...
I suspect that a lot of the commercial mains conditioners/surge protectors could be "cloned" for much less than the retail price...
rowemeister said:
Brent,
why do You not try to measure "something" or dismantle this toffee carefully? Can You spot the "circuit"?
Regards
Heinz!
powerbecker said:
Electrically it measures open circuit both ways. And on a capacitance test measures roughly 1nF.
All surge devices measure open circuit and the go short or low ohm when a voltage is exeeded.
The component is fully encapsulated and I don't fancy trying to break it as a new one is £130
Brent
powerbecker said:
Russ Andrew says it does not deteriorate with age and is hundreds of times better than his super clamp which comprises a MOV and a Transient diode (SAD).
Here is a link
Mega Clamp
Brent
I suspect the reason for hiding the contents is the low component value to retail cost ratio.
Try opening it up and you will probably find you can rebuild it and many more copies for much less than the retail cost.
Try opening it up and you will probably find you can rebuild it and many more copies for much less than the retail cost.
AndrewT said:
I have scratched away at the component and I dont think I can get into it, it appears to be made of a ferrit material.
Brent
I don't entirely think its to hide the cost.
Russ Andrews does a surge protection plug called 'Super Clamp Ultra' and this has 3 MOV and 3 Transient diodes across LN NE LE @ £55.
This must be something a little more special @ £130 and its only across LN. The 3 pole one is £255
Brent
Russ Andrews does a surge protection plug called 'Super Clamp Ultra' and this has 3 MOV and 3 Transient diodes across LN NE LE @ £55.
This must be something a little more special @ £130 and its only across LN. The 3 pole one is £255
Brent
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