Electrical surge suppressor

Abstract

An electrical surge suppressor for use with a video satellite receiver system having an antenna, controls for positioning the antenna, a receiver, electrical conductors connecting the controls to the antenna and receiver, and coaxial cable means connecting the antenna to the receiver, the surge suppressor having a base member formed of a metallic and conductive material to which is mechanically and electrically coupled a dual ground block and a plurality of protector modules. Each module is connected to a control function electrical conductor of the satellite receiver system to protect the system when unwanted voltage surges are imposed on the conductor. Each module has a gas filled discharge tube, an air gap for shunting electrical impulse energy to ground potential when the discharge tube fails to clear the surge or fault, and a thermally operated spring loaded contact operable to shunt electrical impulse energy to ground when the discharge tube and air gap fail to shunt the surge to ground. If a surge occurs on the coaxial cable means or control function conductors between the antenna and the surge suppressor, the surge flows on the coaxial cable means or control function conductors from the antenna to the surge suppressor. If the surge occurs between the surge suppressor and the receiver, the surge flows from the receiver to the surge suppressor. The surge always flows to the surge suppressor because the path to ground through the suppressor is always less resistive and more conductive to surge flow no matter where the surge occurs in the satellite receiver system.