The way I test the surge suppressors I manufacture is to place a high voltage across the suppression device (such as your gas tube). The voltage must be higher than the breakdown voltage of the device. Frequently 120 VAC from the outlet will do. I use a variac coupled to a step up transformer so I can go to 1000 volts if needs be.
You must put a current limiting resistor in series with the gas tube to keep from blowing a circuit breaker and damaging the gas tube. If the gas tube is firing, it will have a voltage across it at whatever level the breakdown voltage is. If it is not firing, the full applied voltage will be measured. If it is shorted, very low or no voltage will be seen. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark McElvy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org> Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 1:15 PM Subject: [WISPA] Lightning Surge Suppressers >I have some Altelicon glass tube lightning surge arresters. I am trying > to figure out how to test then to see if they are good. I have used an > ohm meter to compare a new one with an old one I suspected to be bad but > all reads the same. The replaceable glass tube measures open on bothe > old and new. > > > > Mark McElvy > AccuBak Data Systems, Inc. > > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > WISPA Wants You! Join today! > http://signup.wispa.org/ > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org > > Subscribe/Unsubscribe: > http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless > > Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
