Lightning protection spark gaps for cable devices

A spark gap circuit, comprising:

• a circuit board;
• an input configured to connect to the circuit board and to receive signals;
• a spark gap configured to connect to the circuit board and the input, the spark gap comprising:
• a first conducting electrode;
• a second conducting electrode that is grounded;
• and
• a dielectric material configured to be positioned within a gap between the first and second conducting electrodes;
• a first capacitor configured to connect to the circuit board and the spark gap;
• a second capacitor configured to connect to the circuit board and the first capacitor;
• an output configured to connect to the circuit board and the second capacitor;
• wherein the spark gap is configured to cause a return loss between the input and the output to be within a first predetermined range;
• wherein the spark gap is configured to cause a parasitic capacitance between the input and the output to be within a second predetermined range;
• wherein the first conducting electrode has a length from about 750 μm to about 2000 μm;
• wherein the first conducting electrode has a diameter from about 500 μm to about 1 mm;
• wherein the first conducting electrode has a mass from about 1 gram to about 100 grams;
• wherein a signal trace extends from the input to the first capacitor;
• wherein the first conducting electrode is substantially parallel with the signal trace;
• wherein the second conducting electrode comprises a staple with two leads and a cross bar positioned therebetween;
• wherein the two leads are substantially perpendicular to the circuit board;
• wherein the cross bar is substantially perpendicular to the first conducting electrode and the signal trace;
• wherein the cross bar is positioned farther away from the circuit board than the first conducting electrode such that the gap exists therebetween;
• wherein a thickness of the gap is from about 150 μm to about 250 μm;
• wherein a thickness of the dielectric material is from about 75 μm to about 125 μm;
• wherein the dielectric material comprises air, paper, or a combination thereof;
• wherein the dielectric material has a relative permittivity from about 1 to about 3;
• wherein the first and second capacitors are configured to block direct current (DC) flow therethrough and to provide surge protection;
• wherein a voltage rating of the first capacitor is greater than a voltage rating of the second capacitor;
• and
• wherein the output is configured to connect to a cable or a device.