Date   : Tue, 26 Feb 1985007:36:00-MST
From   : Henry Schaffer <hes%ecsvax.uucp@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Subject: MOV transient protectors

Re: protecting your house from lightning carried on the incoming power
lines.

1) Most homes around here have 3 line, single phase 120/240 service.
All three lines should be protected- taking 3 MOVs or ONE three-
electrode gas tube.  When the gas tube is fired (due to voltage on
any pair of lines) it "shorts" all three lines together.

2) At the entrance to the house wiring the power lines can indeed
supply lots of power and so the protection device must be able to pass
lots of current and dissipate lots of power.  Once again a gas tube
fits the description.

  A company I've dealt with (through a distributor) which makes a
variety of gas tube surge protectors is TII (I don't remember what it
stands for, and I can't find my catalog.)  An example of a home
lightening surge protector (from a 6 year old spec sheet): Three wire,
maximum discharge voltage: 450V@500AMP, 800V@1,000AMP 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
x 1 3/8" + 1/2" threaded nipple $21.54.