Metaaloxidschakels

Metaaloxidschakels, also known as metal oxide varistors (MOVs), are electronic components used for overvoltage protection. They are designed to absorb transient voltage spikes that can damage sensitive electronic equipment. A metaaloxidschakel consists of a zinc oxide ceramic material sandwiched between two metal electrodes. Under normal operating conditions, the resistance of the zinc oxide is very high, and little current flows through the device. However, when a sudden voltage surge occurs, the resistance of the metaaloxidschakel dramatically decreases. This allows the excess current to be shunted away from the protected circuit and safely dissipated as heat within the MOV. Once the transient voltage returns to normal levels, the MOV's resistance increases again, and normal circuit operation resumes. Metaaloxidschakels are commonly found in power strips, surge protectors, and within the power supplies of various electronic devices. They are a cost-effective and widely used solution for protecting against lightning strikes, power surges, and other transient overvoltages. Their sacrificial nature means that repeated high-energy surges can eventually degrade the MOV, leading to its failure.