The effect of multiple lightning impulse on the electrical characteristics of transient voltage suppression diode as low voltage lightning protective device

Abstract

The behaviour and performance of surge protective devices such as transient voltage suppression (TVS) diode under the application of multiple lightning impulses are different from the single lightning impulse. Since TVS diode is commonly used and reliable device for low voltage and telecommunication systems lightning protection, a precise method of testing has to be applied based on the natural characteristics of lightning to accurately determine its performance and capability. In this work, laboratory studied are to be carried out on 1 kV voltage with multiple lightning impulse using Multiple Impulse Generator (MIGe) and 1.5 kW rating of TVS diode. The electrical response of the device such as standby current (ID), breakdown voltage (VBR) and capacitance (C) characteristic are then being analyzed to determine the effect on the TVS diode performance. The experiment results show that after applying single impulse and multiple impulse voltage produces the changes in electrical characteristic of TVS diode.