Protection of Electronic Circuits from Overvoltages

Temporary failure and permanent damage of electronic systems are often caused by electrical overstresses such as lightning, electromagnetic pulses from nuclear weapons, and switching of reactive loads. Protecting industrial, military, and consumer systems from failure is critical; and until the publication of this volume, the related literature was scattered throughout journals, patents, conference proceedings, military reports, and elsewhere. This convenient text presents practical rules and strategies for circuits designed to protect electronic systems from damage by transient overvoltages. Because many circuits operate from AC supply mains, protection of equipment operating from the mains is also discussed. The five-part treatment covers symptoms and threats, fundamental remedies, types of protective devices, applications of protective devices, and validation of protective measures. Specific topics include damage and upset, environmental threats, standard test waveforms, and properties of nonlinear transient protection devices, plus protective applications related to signal circuits, DC power supplies, and low-voltage AC mains.