Good day

I am looking for information on MOV's.

My Confusion came about when I asked at an electronics shop as to what size MOV to put on the Output of a 13.8Voltcharger. I said battery charger 12 Volt. They gave me a 12 Volt MOV for 13.8 Volts. I questioned them but they assured me it was correct.

I connected the 12 Volt MOV across the 13.8 Volts and the MOV did not blow or short.

Thus the confusion I thought that when the voltage exceeded the rated voltage the MOV shorted blowing the fuse?

I would like to understand how to work0ut the size of the MOV for both AC and DC applications

 

There is always a little 'wiggle' room in electronics components. It can save, or waste your time.

13.8 = 1.15 x 12. A 15% deviation is not a big deal. Check out a few capacitor data sheets. I think they consider 50% deviation acceptable.

What I would suggest is a 12 volt switching regulator, or, if you go AC, a pair of 6 volt ones, if you can find them. Kind of like an LM7809/LM7909 pair.

 

The part number for TKS, EPCOS, and NTE Electornics MOVs relate to the RMS voltage rating. Don't know abuot the others, but generally they are intended for AC use and it makes sense that they would be rated for the RMS voltage similar to AC capacitors.

 

Does this mean that MOV's are not suitable for DC surge protection

 

I'll have to try that and see. I've been trying a lot of things lately, but I got most of my training during the vacuum tube days so there are a lot of new ideas and components floating around.

Are you looking for something like an ICL? (Inrush Current Limiter) I went nuts on them yesterday, and I can definitely tell you that there are a lot of options there.

Nope. I read your message again, and that is not exactly what you are looking for.

No matter. I think you are looking for a current limiter. I found a nice looking circuit, using two to four BJTs, on line yesterday. Or you can go cheaper, but actually better if you use an LM317 in current regulator mode. (See page 379 of 'The Art Of Electronics, 2nd Edition.) LM317s are less than a US Dollar here now. I think they top out at 1 Amp of current in normal operation, but they have some nice internal protection features. Whatever, stick a heat sink on any linear regulator. The legendary inefficiency of linear regulators means that a lot of the applied power will turn into heat. I had one go up in smoke yesterday, and it's probably harder for you to get them.

 

We have to import the majority of our components from South Africa they end up really expensive.

Thanks for your help

 

BTW, love your avatar.

 

MOVs are great for DC; not only do they work, but they are very fast. I once used them on DC power supplies to clamp "deadly" spikes that were being created by huge sub-nanosecond ground current spikes.

 

MOVs are great for DC; not only do they work, but they are very fast. I once used them on DC power supplies to clamp "deadly" spikes that were being created by huge sub-nanosecond ground current spikes.

Naturally, I don't know much about them. I understand the principal, I think, but have never used one.

Are they capable of 'soft start' type activity?

And that reminds me of something else that I need help with. I bought 50 x 1 Amp thermistors for soft start, and I got 'No Start' instead. I can hook them up between a 12 VDC source and a 1.5 kOhm load, and the resistance never drops below 10 mOhm. Am I doing something wrong?

 

Good day

I am looking for information on MOV's.

I don't know if it is still in print, but if you can locate a copy of 'Transient Voltage Suppression Manual' by GE it pretty much gives you everything.
In the mean time.
file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/My%20Documents/Downloads/9781402077395-c1%20(1).pdf
http://www.littelfuse.com/~/media/e...n_devices_and_principles_application_note.pdf
Max.

 

I don't know if it is still in print, but if you can locate a copy of 'Transient Voltage Suppression Manual' by GE it pretty much gives you everything.
In the mean time.
file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/My%20Documents/Downloads/9781402077395-c1%20(1).pdf
http://www.littelfuse.com/~/media/e...n_devices_and_principles_application_note.pdf
Max.

I'm sire that I am ntr in print, but ovrweall imptrssiba

(What's up with this is editor. I spend one minute making a post and then 10 minutes editing it.)

Basically an MOV is a pair of back to back diodes.


Enough of this. 45 minutes for the last sentence. Not worth ny time