Overvoltage-pulse analyzer

A system for measuring the characteristics of overvoltage pulses on a transmission line, comprising:

• voltage-sensing means coupled to said transmission line for detecting overvoltage pulses of absolute magnitude exceeding a predetermined sensitivity threshold and for distinguishing among a specified number m of discrete amplitude levels above said threshold;
• timing means controlled by said voltage-sensing means for measuring an interval lasting from the instant of detection of an overvoltage pulse to at least the instant of attainment of the highest amplitude level reached thereby but not beyond the instant of disappearance of said overvoltage pulse, the intervals so measured being classified in a plurality of time periods represented by a specified number n of quantized duration signals;
• memory means provided with m times n cells respectively assigned to different combinations of amplitude levels and quantized duration, said memory means having input connections to said voltage-sensing means and said timing means for addressing the assigned cell upon the disappearance of the detected overvoltage pulse;
• incrementing means connected to said memory means for storing a progressively increasing numerical value in a cell so addressed, said numerical value representing the number of detected overvoltage pulses exhibiting the corresponding combination of amplitude levels and quantized duration;
• indicator means connectable to any of said cells for reading out the contents thereof;
• and
• clearing means connected to said memory means and operable to erase the contents of all said cells.