BS EN 61643-311:2013

What is BS EN 61643-311 - Gas discharge tubes about?  

BS EN 61643-311 is the 311th part of an international standard used for low-voltage surge protective devices that specifies the electrical and mechanical requirements along with the test and measuring methods. This helps in calculating the values of gas discharge tubes (GDT). By using BS EN 61643-311 you can manufacture better quality gas discharge tubes for protecting the equipment against the over voltages.  

BS EN 61643-311 is applicable to gas discharge tubes (GDT) used for overvoltage protection in telecommunications, signalling, and low-voltage power distribution networks with nominal system voltages up to 1 000 V (r.m.s.) a.c. and 1 500 V d.c. They are defined as a gap or several gaps with two or three metal electrodes hermetically sealed so that gas mixture and pressure are under control. They are designed to protect apparatus or personnel, or both, from high transient voltages. BS EN 61643-311 contains a series of test criteria, test methods, and test circuits for determining the electrical characteristics of GDTs having two or three electrodes.  

Note: BS EN 61643-311 does not specify requirements applicable to complete surge protective devices, nor does it specify total requirements for GDTs employed within electronic devices, where precise coordination between GDT performance and surge protective device withstand capability is highly critical. 

Note: This BS EN 61643-311 does not covers:  

• Does not deal with mountings and their effect on GDT characteristics. Characteristics given apply solely to GDTs mounted in the ways described for the tests 
• Does not deal with mechanical dimensions 
• Does not deal with quality assurance requirements 
• May not be sufficient for GDTs used on high-frequency (>30 MHz) 
• Does not deal with electrostatic voltages 
• Does not deal with hybrid overvoltage protection components or composite GDT devices 

Who is BS EN 61643-311 - Gas discharge tubes for? 

BS EN 61643-311 on Components for low-voltage surge protective devices is useful for: 

• Manufacturer of electronic devices 
• Manufacturer of automotive parts  
• Manufacturer of gas tubes 
• Electronic devices  

Why should you use BS EN 61643-311 - Gas discharge tubes?  

Gas discharge tubes are extensively used for the protection of telecommunications plants and equipment. This protects against overvoltages caused by lightning, power switching, and fault conditions. 

BS EN 61643-311 specifies the mechanical requirements which are useful in determining the solderability and robustness of these gas discharge tubes. Electrical requirements are useful in identifying the values, and capacities and helps in resisting the insulation of these tubes.  

BS EN 61643-311 can be your best guide in measuring and performing the test methods for gas discharge tubes. The test methods are as follows: 

• DC spark over-voltage and Impulse sparkover voltage are useful in measuring the values of GDT 
• Insulation resistance is calculated from each terminal to every other terminal of the GDT 
• Capacity of GDT is measured 
• The magnitude and the duration of transverse voltage is measured with the help of three-electrode 
• DC holdover voltage is useful in calculating the time of current turn off for both polarities of the impulse current 
• Identifies the requirements for current carrying capacity 
• Determines the working of fail-short mechanisms  

By applying BS EN 61643-311 you can ensure the sustainability of these gas discharge tubes in different climatic conditions. This helps in standardizing the manufacturing process of gas discharge tubes used in low-voltage surge protective devices that helps in protecting the equipment from overvoltages.