SPARK GAP

FIELD: high-voltage engineering; surge protection of high-voltage apparatuses and power transmission lines. ^ SUBSTANCE: proposed spark gap that can be primarily used in protective devices in conjunction with nonlinear surge limiter built around zinc oxide varistors has two open ring electrodes placed one inside other in same plane and offset so that external-to-internal electrode gap width increases over their length between point of connection of one electrode to power supply bus and its loose end; it also has holder made of insulating material possessing thermal expansion property; this holder is engageable with one of electrodes so that in case of its thermal expansion mentioned electrode displaces relative to other electrode in direction normal to location plane of electrodes. ^ EFFECT: provision for passing discharge current depending on operating temperature conditions of spark gap. ^ 2 cl, 2 dwg