Low Aspect Ratio Varistor

A varistor having a rectangular configuration defining first and second opposing side surfaces offset in a widthwise direction and first and second opposing end surfaces offset in a lengthwise direction, the varistor comprising:

• a first terminal adjacent the first opposing end surface;
• a first electrode layer including a first electrode, the first electrode connected with the first terminal;
• and
• a second terminal adjacent the second opposing end surface;
• and
• a second electrode layer including a second electrode, the second electrode connected with the second terminal;
• wherein:
• the second electrode overlaps the first electrode along an overlapping area having an overlap width in the widthwise direction and an overlap length in the lengthwise direction;
• and
• the overlapping area has an overlap aspect ratio less than about 1.

A varistor array having a rectangular configuration defining first and second opposing side surfaces offset in a widthwise direction and first and second opposing end surfaces offset in a lengthwise direction, the varistor array comprising:

• a first terminal associated with the first opposing end surface;
• a first electrode layer including a first set of electrodes, each of the first set of electrodes being connected with the first terminal and having an electrode length in the lengthwise direction and an electrode width in the widthwise direction;
• a second terminal associated with the second opposing end surface;
• and
• a second electrode layer including a second set of electrodes, each of the second set of electrodes being connected with the second terminal and having an electrode length in the lengthwise direction and an electrode width in the widthwise direction;
• wherein:
• at least one electrode of the first set of electrodes or second set of electrodes has an electrode aspect ratio less than about 1.