Littelfuse's Pxx00MEL series high-energy SIDACtor component has a crowbarring characteristic, which offers low on-state voltage values that are much lower than the arc voltage of the traditional GDT and also offers a much lower voltage threshold than the clamping voltage of an MOV. The Pxx00MEL SIDACtor component can handle a much higher surge current since its on-state-voltage is so low. It also provides a much lower over-shoot characteristic for high dv/dt or high di/dt events as compared to the GDT, or MOV components.

The Pxx00MEL series has component working voltage (V_DRM) (also known as off-state voltage) ranging from 140 V to 350 V. Referring to the I_PP surge current and I_TSM table, the Pxx00MEL provides 5000 A 8/20 I_PP (peak pulse current rating) and a minimum 400 A I_TSM for 50 / 60 Hz AC single cycle sinusoidal wave surge event.

 High Power Semiconductor Crowbar Protector for AC Power Line Applications

The Pxx00MEL is an improved solution over the conventional GDT. They provide:

• Low on-state voltage condition thus low thermal accumulation during long-term events
• Lower overshoot during high dv/dt events
• No wear-out mechanism
• Stand-off values choices that are closer to some country AC power line values without sacrificing over-shoot characteristics (lower voltage GDTs use a different gas/higher gas pressure for lower voltage version, thus resulting in slower turn on characteristics and higher overshoots)