Introduction

Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs) are commonly used to suppress transients in many applications such as: Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors (TVSS), Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), AC Power Taps, AC Power Meters or other products. Lightning, inductive load switching, or capacitor bank switching, are often the sources of these over-voltage transients. Under normal operating conditions, the AC line voltage applied to an MOV is not expected to exceed the MOV’s Maximum ACRMS Voltage Rating or Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV). Occasionally, over-voltage transients may occur that exceeds these limits. These transients are clamped to a suitable voltage level by the MOV provided the transient energy does not exceed the MOV’s maximum rating.