Varistor and method for manufacturing the same

A method for manufacturing a varistor, the method comprising:

• preparing a sintered body including ZnO as a main component and including an internal electrode disposed in an interior of the sintered body;
• forming a precursor layer including SiO2 or silicate such that the precursor layer covers at least part of the sintered body;
• applying an external electrode paste including Bi2O3 such that the external electrode paste covers part of the sintered body and is in contact with part of the precursor layer;
• performing heat treatment to form an insulating layer including Zn2SiO4 from the precursor layer and to form an external electrode from the external electrode paste.

A varistor comprising:

• a sintered body;
• an internal electrode disposed in an interior of the sintered body;
• an insulating layer covering at least part of the sintered body and including Zn2SiO4;
• and
• an external electrode electrically connected to the internal electrode, covering part of the sintered body and part of the insulating layer, and being in contact with the part of the insulating layer, wherein:
• the sintered body on which the insulating layer is formed has a flat surface, and
• the insulating layer includes a region in contact with the external electrode, and the region has a greater average thickness from a surface of the insulating layer than a region of the insulating layer which is out of contact with the external electrode.