Surge protection element for telephone lines, or data transmission lines or the like

In a surge protection element for telephone lines or data transmission lines of the like, comprising:

• (a) an inert gas filled protective device having first and second electrodes connected between first and second line input terminals;
• (b) means connecting said first and second line input terminals to respective branch terminals of an installation to be protected;
• (c) initial protection means having first and second terminals adapted to be connected between said terminals of the installation to be protected;
• and
• (d) decoupling means connected in series between said first and second line input terminals of said gas-filled protective device and said first and second terminals of the initial protection means;
• wherein said protective device is formed by cartridge means comprising (i) an external shell adapted to be earthed, and (ii) two electrodes, said protection element further comprising a cradle mounted on a base provided with pins, said cradle comprising two lateral tongues to provide electrical connection between said first electrode of the protective device and a said pin;
• the improvement comprising:
• (e) laminar substrate means carrying said decoupling means and said initial protection means, said laminar substrate means being positioned between said lateral tongues.