Averters

Averters are devices used to protect electrical equipment from voltage surges, which can occur due to lightning strikes, power outages, or other electrical disturbances. They are commonly used in telecommunications, data centers, and other critical infrastructure to ensure the reliability and longevity of sensitive equipment. Averters work by diverting excess voltage away from the protected equipment, thereby preventing damage.

There are several types of averters, including:

1. Gas Discharge Tube Averters: These use a gas-filled tube that breaks down under high voltage, providing a path for the excess current to flow safely to ground.

2. Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) Averters: These use a semiconductor material that changes its resistance in response to voltage changes, effectively shunting excess voltage away from the protected equipment.

3. Hybrid Averters: These combine the features of gas discharge tube and MOV averters, offering enhanced protection and longer lifespan.

Averters are typically rated by their voltage and energy absorption capacity, which indicates the maximum voltage they can handle and the amount of energy they can dissipate before failing. Regular maintenance and replacement of averters are essential to ensure continuous protection of electrical equipment.