Varistorische

Varistorische is an adjective used in Dutch and German technical writing to denote something relating to varistors, a class of nonlinear electronic components. In English, the corresponding adjective is rarely used; more common terms are varistor-related or simply varistor. The term stems from varistor plus language-specific suffixes such as -ische in German or -ische in Dutch.

A varistor, or metal-oxide varistor (MOV), is a non-linear resistor whose resistance decreases as the voltage increases, allowing it to clamp transient voltages. MOVs are typically made from zinc oxide grains in a ceramic matrix with metal electrodes. They are widely used for surge protection in power supplies, electrical installations, and electronic devices to absorb spikes from lightning, switching transients, or grid disturbances.

In technical writing, “varistorische” appears in discussions of properties or standards, for example varistorische Eigenschaften in German or varistorische eigenschappen in Dutch, referring to a varistor’s voltage dependence, clamping voltage, energy rating, response time, and temperature effects. The English equivalents would be “varistor properties” or “varistor-related characteristics.”

Applications and design considerations: Varistors are used across AC mains and DC circuits for overvoltage protection, often in conjunction with fuses or other protective devices. Key parameters include nominal voltage, clamping voltage, energy rating, peak surge current, dynamic resistance, package form, and environmental endurance. Selection depends on the expected surge environment, operating voltage, and allowable leakage current.

Historical note: Varistors were developed in the mid-20th century, with zinc oxide-based MOVs becoming widely used from the 1970s onward. The term varistorische reflects the terminology found in German- and Dutch-language literature describing varistor-related properties and applications.