Adaptive surge suppressor

A surge suppressor system adaptable for protection of sensitive electrical devices from predetermined alternative conditions, said surge suppressor system comprising:

• a suppressor circuit having electrical input connections and output connections;
• a primary surge suppressor element in a first leg of said circuit;
• at least one secondary surge suppressor element in a second leg of said circuit;
• a first sensor coupled to said primary surge suppressor element in said first leg, said first sensor being adapted to detect the existence of at least one said predetermined condition;
• a switch by which said first leg is selectively connected in said circuit and switched out of said circuit, and said at least one secondary surge suppressor element is selectively switched into said circuit and said primary surge suppressor element is switched out of said circuit when at least one of said predetermined conditions has occurred;
• and
• a control device coupling said first leg and said switch.

A surge suppressor system adaptable for protection of sensitive electrical devices from predetermined alternative conditions, said surge suppressor system comprising:

• a suppressor circuit having electrical input connections and output connections;
• a primary surge suppressor element in a first leg of said circuit;
• at least one secondary surge suppressor element in a second leg of said circuit;
• a first sensor connected in said first leg, said first sensor being adapted to detect the existence of at least one said predetermined condition;
• a second sensor connected in said first leg, said second sensor being adapted to detect the existence of at least one said predetermined condition;
• a switch by which said first leg is selectively connected in said circuit and switched out of said circuit, and said second leg is selectively switched into said circuit and said first leg is switched out of said circuit when said first surge suppressor element is nearing failure, is beginning to fail or has failed, or when at least one predetermined condition has been detected by either said first sensor or said second sensor;
• and
• a control device for controlling the changing of said switch to connect said second leg into said circuit.