Electronics >> Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV)

Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) is a semiconductor device, which functions like two back to back Zener diodes with a high breakdown voltage in both directions.

Varistors are used to protect the sensitive parts of a circuit by creating a filter from dips and spikes in the AC power line or spikes created by a coil in the circuit.

Dips are large voltage drops lasting microseconds. Spikes are very brief over voltages that could be up to 2000 Volts or more.

In order to protect the components in a circuit, a varistors is connected in parallel to the AC line; transformer or coil, and when it is triggered it will complete the shunt connection to keep the excessive voltage away from the sensitive components.

Varistors are available with breakdown voltages anywhere from 10 to 1000 Volts. They also can handle peak current in the hundreds or thousands of Amps.

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