Overvoltage protection circuit for a television

A transient high voltage viewer protection network in a television receiver having a high voltage transformer including a primary winding energized by a low voltage source and a secondary winding for energizing a high voltage source floating with respect to earth ground, wherein voltage isolation means are coupled across the secondary winding of said high voltage transformer and said low voltage source for providing a reliable and safe means for transient high voltage discharge in said high voltage transformer, said protection network comprising:

• a first high threshold voltage rapid discharge device having first and second electrodes, said first electrode coupled to the secondary winding of said high voltage transformer;
• a second high threshold voltage rapid discharge device having third and fourth electrodes, said third electrode coupled to the second electrode of said first high threshold voltage rapid discharge device and said fourth electrode coupled to said low voltage source, said first and second high threshold voltage rapid discharge devices having essentially equal breakdown voltage ratings;
• and
• capristor means coupled across said second high threshold voltage rapid discharge device, such that a transient high voltage discharge in said high voltage transformer causes the first high threshold voltage rapid discharge device to discharge when its breakdown voltage rating is exceeded, rapidly followed by the discharge of said second high threshold voltage rapid discharge device thereby limiting the potential difference between said high voltage transformer and said low voltage source by providing a safe means for high voltage discharge in protecting the viewer of said television receiver from high voltage shock.