This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Gas Discharge Tube Arrestors (GDT) category on DigiKey.com
A gas discharge tube or GDT, is a sealed, glass-enclosed device that contains an inert gas mixture trapped between two electrodes. When a voltage greater than the GDT’s rating is exceeded, the increased voltage ionizes the gas allowing it to conduct electricity and divert the excess voltage to ground.
SelectionCharacteristics
Voltage - DC Spark Over (Nom): The nominal voltage at which a GDT enters a conductive state when a slowly-increasing voltage is applied across its terminals.
Impulse Discharge Current: The maximum fault current the device is rated to withstand, based on an IEC standard 8/20us test waveform and a specified number of repetitions.
Tolerance: Indicates the percentage of the device’s DC Spark Over (Nom) rating the GDT’s actual value is allowed to deviate by and still be considered within specification.
Number of Poles: Indicates the number of nodes in a circuit between/among which a device can provide a protection function.
Fail Short: Indicates whether or not a part is deliberately designed to have a short-circuit failure mode.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Package / Case: Indicates the type of protective case used on an electronic component to allow easy handling, installation, and protection. This selection was determined to be the closest industry standard applicable to the suppliers device packaging. Typically it is best to check the actual dimensions from the datasheet rather than depend on this terminology when designing your circuit.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | 2035-09-SM-RPLF |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 2035-09-SM-RPLFTR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Bourns Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | Gas Discharge Tube 90 V 5000A (5kA) ±20% 2 Pole Surface Mount |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | SG90 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | F4126TR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Littelfuse Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | Gas Discharge Tube 90 V 2000A (2kA) 2 Pole Surface Mount |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | B88069X2190T502 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 495-5905-2-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | EPCOS - TDK Electronics |
| DESCRIPTION | Gas Discharge Tube 2500 V 2500A (2.5kA) ±20% 2 Pole Through Hole |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | BK33000702-M |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 13-BK33000702-MTR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | YAGEO |
| DESCRIPTION | Gas Discharge Tube 140 V ±30% 3 Pole User Defined |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
SchematicSymbols
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MediaLinks
Articles
Circuit Protection Requires Careful Consideration
Product Training Modules
Gas Discharge Tubes - Littelfuse
T Series Fast Acting Gas Discharge Tubes - Bourns
Gas Discharge Tubes - Bourns
2051 Series GDT - Bourns
TechForum
Polarity of GDTs (Gas Discharge Tubes)