MICRO ARC SERIES

The Micro-Arc (MC) series of spark gaps is designed for electrical transient protection and energy release in applications where miniaturized packaging is necessary and small transient currents are anticipated. They may also be used where a large one-time energy release is required, for example, in the initiation of explosive detonations. 

Product features:

• Outer diameter of 0.187" (4.75 mm) 
• Offer a high insulation resistance of greater than 109 ohms and capacitance of less than 1 pF. 
  
• Surge current capability of 1,000 amperes (8 x 20 μsec waveshape)  
  
• Available in a DC breakdown voltage range from 90 to 2,000 volts except for the half (MCH) and quarter (MCQ) sizes, which have an upper limit of 1000 and 500 volts, respectively 
• Voltages are available through 1,650 V in MCQ and 2,000 V in MCH series, provided adequate over-potting is utilized by the customer.
  

MILLI-ARC SERIES

The convenient physical size of the Milli-Arc (ML) series and its 10,000 ampere (8 x 20 μsec waveshape) discharge capability make this series the most suitable for general purpose transient protection. They also may be used for energy release in Exploding Bridgewire (EBW) applications and in various vacuum tube grid circuits for tube arc protection.  

Product features:

• ​Outer diameter of 0.312" (7.92 mm) 
  
• Offer a high insulation resistance of greater than 109 ohms and capacitance of less than 2 pF. 
  
• Surge current capability of 10,000 amperes (8 x 20 μsec waveshape)  
  
• Available in a DC breakdown voltage range from 90 to 4,500 volts ein the MLH series and 8,500 volts in the MLF series.​
  

MILLI-TRIARC SERIES

The Milli-Triarc (MLT) series of spark gaps are three-electrode versions of the Milli-Arc series designed for electrical transient protection of balanced pair communications lines. Their three-electrode design provides a discharge path from each line to the ground and a line-to-line path for metallic surges. They may also be used for applications with an adequate trigger pulse.

When installed on balanced pair lines, where symmetrical surge voltages are anticipated on each line pair, this three-electrode series provides a rapid sympathetic breakdown of the opposite line electrode to the ground following the initial line-to-ground breakdown.  

Product features: 

• Outer diameter of 0.312" (7.92 mm)  
  
• Offer a high insulation resistance of greater than 109  ohms and capacitance of less than 2 pF. 
  
• Surge current capability of 10,000 amperes (8 x 20 μsec waveshape) 
  
• Considerably shorter breakdown delay than that found where two separate two-electrode spark gaps are used
  
• Available in a DC breakdown voltage range from 90 to 2,000 volts.
  

DECI-ARC SERIES

The Deci-Arc (DCF) tubes are for protection in circuits where high energy transients are anticipated and where size 18 AWG or larger wire sizes are used.  

Product features:

• ​Outer diameter of 0.500" (12.7 mm) 
• Offer a high insulation resistance of greater than 109 ohms and capacitance of less than 10 p.F 
• Surge current capability of 20,000 amperes (8 x 20 μsec waveshape)  
• Available in a DC breakdown voltage range from 230 to 10,000 volts.

 DEKA-ARC SERIES

The Deka-Arc (DKF) series of spark gaps is designed for heavy-duty electrical transient protection. Their 40,000 ampere (8 x 20 μsec waveshape) capability makes them suitable for many direct lightning strike protection applications and power line protection when used with appropriate series resistances. They may also be used in circuits where long life is desired under repetitive pulse conditions.