What is a Voltage Transient?
A Voltage Transient is a momentary change in the voltage or current over a very short amount of time. The short time interval is less than 1 cycle (16 milliseconds). Transients are most often measured in microseconds rather than milliseconds. A Voltage Transient is usually referred to as a “Spike.” A Voltage Transient has a separate beginning and end, and it may occur often or at regular intervals. Another regard of Voltage Transients is if they are impulsive, or oscillatory, which refers to the shape of the transient. If there is a Voltage Transient, and the voltage returns to its full value, then the Voltage Transient is defined as “Impulsive.” On the other hand, if the Voltage Transient bounces around (becoming smaller at each bounce), then the Voltage Transient is defined as an Oscillatory Transient because it “rings,” or oscillates.
Related Questions
- Doesn’t a Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor or common Surge Suppressor Strips provide adequate protection for my equipment?
- Do computer manufacturers build transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS) and/or electronic filtering into their products?
- What is the difference between a surge arrester and a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS)?
