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Computer Simulation of ZnO Varistors Failures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

M. Bartkowiak ,
G. D. Mahan ,
M. G. Comber  and
M. A. Alim
M. Bartkowiak
Affiliation:
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996–1200, and Solid State Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6030, bartkowiakm@ornl.gov
G. D. Mahan
Affiliation:
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996–1200, and Solid State Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6030, bartkowiakm@ornl.gov
M. G. Comber
Affiliation:
Hubbell Power Systems, 210 North Allen Street, Centralia, MO 65240–1395
M. A. Alim
Affiliation:
Hubbell Incorporated, The Ohio Brass Company, 8711 Wadsworth Road, Wadsworth, OH 44281
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Abstract

A simple thermo-mechanical model is applied to evaluate the influence of the nonuni-formity of ZnO varistor disks used in surge arresters on their energy handling capability. By solving heat transfer equations for a varistor disk with nonuniform electrical properties, we compute the time dependence of the temperature profile and the distribution of thermal stresses. The model can identify the energy handling limitations of ZnO varistors imposed by three different failure modes: puncture, thermal runaway, and cracking. It conforms to the available failure data, and explains the observation that energy handling improves at high current densities.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 500: Symposium EE – Electrically Based Microstructural Characterization II , 1997 , 253
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1998

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References

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