Surge protection device using metal oxide varistors (MOVs) as the active energy control multiple gap discharging chain

A surge protection device that reduces oscillation and allows for better peak current surge control, the surge protection device comprising:

• an output node;
• first, second, and third nodes;
• a first arcing section coupled between the first node and the second node, and configured to receive a surge voltage from the first node;
• a first metal oxide varistor coupled between the second node and the output node, and configured to reduce the surge voltage to a first sub-surge voltage at the second node;
• a second arcing section coupled between the second node and the third node, and configured to receive the first sub-surge voltage from the second node;
• and
• a second metal oxide varistor coupled between the third node and the output node, and configured to reduce the first sub-surge voltage to a second sub-surge voltage at the third node,
• wherein the first and second arcing sections form a discharge path for discharging the surge voltage and the first and second metal oxide varistors are used to reduce the frequency or magnitude of the surge voltage while the surge voltage is being discharged via the first and second arcing sections.