Components for Low-Voltage Surge Protection

IEC 61643-331:2020 RLV contains both the official IEC International Standard and its Redline version. The Redline version is available in English only and provides you with a quick and easy way to compare all the changes between the official IEC Standard and its previous edition.

IEC 61643-331:2020 is a test specification for metal oxide varistors (MOV), which are used for applications up to 1 000 V AC or 1 500 V DC in power lines, or telecommunication, or signalling circuits. They are designed to protect apparatus or personnel, or both, from high transient voltages. This document applies to MOVs having two electrodes and hybrid surge protection components. This document also does not apply to mountings and their effect on the MOV’s characteristics. Characteristics given apply solely to the MOV mounted only in the ways described for the tests. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- a Varistor MCOV rating assurance test;
- an energy rating test (2ms);
- revised Dielectric strength and insulation resistance tests.

IEC 61643-312:2013 is applicable to gas discharge tubes (GDT) used for overvoltage protection in telecommunications, signalling and low-voltage power distribution networks with nominal system voltages up to 1 000 V (r.m.s.) a.c. and 1 500 V d.c. They are defined as a gap, or several gaps with two or three metal electrodes hermetically sealed so that gas mixture and pressure are under control. They are designed to protect apparatus or personnel, or both, from high transient voltages. This standard provides information about the characteristics and circuit applications of GDTs having two or three electrodes. This standard does not specify requirements applicable to complete surge protective devices, nor does it specify total requirements for GDTs employed within electronic devices, where precise coordination between GDT performance and surge protective device withstand capability is highly critical. Keywords: gas discharge tubes (GDT), overvoltage protection in telecommunications, signalling and low-voltage power distribution networks, nominal system voltages up to 1 000 V (r.m.s.) a.c. and 1 500 V d.c. The contents of the corrigendum of July 2013 have been included in this copy.