16 Surge Absorber Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for surge absorbers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 16 surge absorber manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked surge absorber companies as of November, 2024: 1.Time Mark Corp., 2.Flexicraft Industries, 3.Littelfuse, Inc.
Table of Contents
Categories Related to Surge Absorbers
What Is a Surge Absorber?
A Surge Absorber is a device that protects equipment from surge voltage.
Surge voltage is a high voltage that rises steeply, and a typical example is the lightning surge voltage caused by a lightning strikes. Surge voltages are generated not only by lightning, but also by switching of high power conductors and static electricity.
Equipment connected to a circuit where surge voltage is generated is at risk of damage due to insulation breakdown. A device that absorbs surge voltage is called a surge absorber.
In other words, it is a device that protects equipment from momentary abnormal voltage.
Usage of Surge Absorbers
There are two types of surge absorbers, one for power circuits and the other for control circuits. Surge absorbers for power circuits are classified into two categories: lightning protection and switching surge voltage absorption.
Surge absorbers for lightning protection are used on utility poles, etc., to release abnormal voltage to the earth in the event of a lightning strike. In this application, they are also called "surge arresters".
Surge Absorbers for open/close surge voltage absorption are used in high-voltage panels.
Surge Absorbers for control circuits are used in LAN circuits and telephone circuits. The main purpose is to protect office automation equipment and precision control equipment from lightning strikes, etc.
In addition to office automation equipment, surge absorbers are used to protect telephones, fax machines, modems, TV antennas, displays, and car navigation systems.
Principle of Surge Absorber
Surge Absorbers are devices that disconnect surge voltage from the main circuit. There are two main types of surge absorbers: those that absorb surge voltages due to ground faults and those that absorb surge voltages due to resistance.
The ground-fault type absorbs only abnormal voltages by means of semiconductors or discharge tubes. This type is used for equipment that may be subject to lightning strikes. The type that absorbs by resistance absorbs abnormal voltages using coils and resistors. Surge absorbers are mainly used to absorb surge voltages other than those caused by lightning strikes.
Types of Surge Absorbers
There are several types of Surge Absorbers. The principle and characteristics differ depending on the type.
1. ZnO Type Surge Absorber
The ZnO type surge absorber is the most common type of used for lightning surges. Zinc Oxide (ZnO) is a type of semiconductor with low resistance to high voltage.
Grounding a circuit through ZnO allows surge voltages to escape to the earth in the event of an abnormality. It is used in a wide range of circuits from small to large capacitance circuits.
2. CR Type Surge Absorber
A capacitor or resistor is installed in parallel with the circuit to be protected. The capacitor acts to protect the circuit by passing current through the resistor in the event of an abnormally high voltage. They are mainly used in small-capacity circuits and are sometimes called surge killers.
3. Diode Type Surge Absorber
A diode is installed in parallel with the circuit to be protected, and the rectifying action of the diode absorbs the surge voltage. They can only be used in DC circuits and are used in circuits with relatively small capacitance.
4. Surge Absorber With Discharge Tube
A grounded discharge tube is built into the circuit to release high voltages to the earth. The inside of the tube is filled with inert gas, and the operating voltage is adjusted according to the gap in the tube. While large-capacity discharges are possible, there is a disadvantage of slow operation speed.
In addition to the above, there are surge absorbers that use thyristors for grounding. Surge absorbers act as a device that does not exist in the circuit during normal operation when no surges are present. When a surge enters the circuit, the surge absorber quickly absorbs the surge current and protects the circuit.
In practice, however, surge absorbers inevitably have a delay before they react. The longer the delay time, the more damage is caused to the circuit; surge absorbers using semiconductors such as ZnO type have a feature of short delay time. For this reason, ZnO type surge absorbers are the most common type of surge absorber today.
Today's precision equipment is becoming more and more vulnerable to surges as it becomes more sophisticated and compact. Thyristors and ZnO elements also have large capacitance, and there is a danger of distorting the waveform of weak electric circuits, so they must be incorporated with consideration.
List of 16 Surge Absorber Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- China
- Japan
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
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Time Mark Corp.
Transient/Surge Absorber
Manufacturer Overview
Time Mark Corp., founded in 1972 and based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a manufacturer of special control devices and related accessories for various industrial applications. The company's product folio includes 3-phase monitors and testers, current monitors, liquid level controls, transformers, and, transducers that have a variety of uses in digital transmission, electronics gadgets, appliances, energy, and, electrical industries. The company also offers a 5-year warranty on 3-Phase Monitors and all other standard products have a 1-year warranty.
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Littelfuse, Inc
PESD
Manufacturer Overview
Littlefuse was founded in 1927 and headquartered in the United States. Littlefuse is a diversified industrial technology manufacturing company with customers globally. Littlefuse has products segments which are electronic, industrial, and transportation. Electronic segment products include fuses and fuse accessories, positive temperature coefficient resettable fuses, polymer electrostatic discharge suppressors, and varistors. Transportation products include blade, resettable, and high-current and high-voltage fuses, as well as battery cable protectors; fuses, switches, relays, circuit breakers, and power distribution modules. The Industrial segment offerings include contactors, transformers, and temperature sensors for use in renewable energy and energy storage systems, electric vehicle infrastructure, HVAC systems.
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NIC Components Corp.
Gas Discharge Tubes
Company Overview
NIC Components Corp., and Nippon Industries Co. Ltd. have collaborated for over 37 years to design and manufacture passive components, including capacitors, resistors, and magnetics. Established in the USA in 1982, NIC has expanded its business to the custom speciality that meets the demands of today’s emerging and latest technology. Their regional offices can be found in Canada, Malaysia, India, Mexico, China, etc. All of their products are built with more features and are certified with different ISO certifications. They also assist their customers in component selection through live support.
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BESTBRIGHT ELECTRONICS CO.,LTD.
SPG
Manufacturer Overview
BrightKing, founded in 2001 with headquarters in Taiwan and manufacturing facilities in China, is a manufacturer of circuit protection components and a provider of circuit protection solutions. The company's product line includes voltage suppressors, electrostatic dischargers, gas discharge tubes, and other related products used in a wide range of consumer devices, from personal computing to home appliances, home surge protection, and infrastructure projects including mobile base stations. BrightKing also provides consulting and technical support with global distribution, custom manufacturing, sample delivery, prototype testing, and direct shipping.
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Thinking Electronic Industrial Co., Ltd.
Spark Gap Protector
Manufacturer Overview
Thinking Electronic Industrial Co., Ltd., established in 1979 with headquarters in Taiwan, is a manufacturer of circuit protection components for over-voltage protection, over-temperature protection, and over-current protection. The company's product line includes NTC thermistors, ceramic PTC thermistors, polymer PTC resettable fuses, temperature sensors, and gas discharge tubes. Thinking Electronic Industrial Co., Ltd.'s products are used in EV batteries, surge protection devices for 5G mobile infrastructure, kitchen appliances, and photovoltaic systems, among many others. The company also provides custom product design and development services.
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KAMAYA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
ESD Suppressors
Manufacturer Overview
Kamaya Electric CO., LTD., a company founded in 1957 and headquartered in Yokkaichi, Japan, is a manufacturer and distributor of electrical components. The company produces chip resistors, lead resistors, chip fuses, and electro-sparks. It also manufactures amplifiers to increase the amplitude of electrical signals, audio player devices, and other electronic equipment. It provides worldwide shipping and a 3-year warranty on all purchases through Sourcengine. The company was awarded certification for ISO 9001 in July 1998 and has achieved ISO 14001 certification. It serves various industries, including Automotive, Lighting, Medical, and more.
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Matsuo Electric Co.,Ltd.
Surge Absorbers
Manufacturer Overview
Matsuo Electric Co.,Ltd., founded in 1949 in Japan, is a specialty component manufacturer of tantalum capacitors, film capacitors, and circuit protection components. The company's microelectronics products include small size, long life, chip tantalum capacitors, leaded tantalum capacitors, fuses, and PET and PPS-type film capacitors used by original equipment manufacturers in a wide variety of industries, including the automotive, electronics, space, and healthcare markets for fire alarms, personal computers, power tools, hearing aids, automotive navigation, and many more devices. Matsuo Electric Co.,Ltd.'s products are RoHS compliant.
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KOA Corporation
Varistors
Manufacturer Overview
KOA Corporation, established in 1940 in Minowa-machi, Japan, is a manufacturer of electronic components. The company provides an extensive product range including resistors, current sense shunt resistors, fuses, thermal sensors, and inductors. These quality components find applications in industries such as automotive, ecology, energy conservation, telecommunications, power supply units, and home appliances. Operating under the guiding principles of circulation, finite resources, harmony, and enrichment, it continues to provide sustainable electronic solutions to cater to the ever-changing demands of global industries.
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Xiamen SET Electronics Co.,Ltd.
Gas Discharge Tube
Manufacturer Overview
Xiamen SET Electronics Co. Ltd., established in 2000 and headquartered in Xiamen, China, is a manufacturer of circuit protection components. The company provides technology that includes over-temperature protection, over-voltage protection, and over-current protection. Its products include cartridge fuse-links, surge protection fuses for low-power systems, and gas discharge tubes. These components are used in various applications, including for home appliances, personal computing, and lighting products. It serves industries that include telecommunications, new energy, and automotive.
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Lision Technology Inc.
Gas Tube
Manufacturer Overview
Lision Technology Inc. is a Taiwanese manufacturer of discrete, motor and analog integrated circuit (IC) products established in 2001 and based in Zhongli City, Taoyuan. The company manufactures various discrete products including diodes and metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), analog products such as regulators and timers, and motor products including application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). They also offer design support and capacity planning services for customers requiring technical assistance. Lision Technology Inc. primarily serves client companies and OEMs in the consumer electronics, computing, and communication sectors.
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Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
Micro-gap type surge protection devices (SPDs), surge absorbers
Manufacturer Overview
The Company operates diverse businesses, ranging from nonferrous metals and other fundamental materials to cemented cardide tools/metalworking solutions, the manufacturing of semiconductor-related and electronic components/materials, resource recycling, and renewable energy power generation. In each business, the Company holds the No.1 position in production volume, sales volume, etc.
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Levtech Service and Production SRL
Over voltage and lightning protection
Manufacturer Overview
Levtech Service and Production SRL is a contract manufacturer specializing in electronic devices established in Lueta, Harghita, Romania, in 2016. The company offers a range of capabilities, including repair services for fuel station electronics such as pumps or dispensers, and CNC machining and manufacturing. It also offers custom development services for electronic devices such as controllers or transmitters, from design to production. The company chiefly serves clients in the automotive, consumer electronics, and semiconductor industries.
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Telegärtner
RJ45 Surge Protection
Manufacturer Overview
Telegärtner, a company founded in 1945 and headquartered in Steinenbronn, Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of connectivity solutions. The company specializes in providing a diverse range of products, including coaxial connectors, network components, plastic injection moldings, industrial electronics, and cable assembly, catering to various industries like telecommunications, data centers, and industrial applications. Their offerings are utilized to establish communication networks. The company also provides customer services, offering technical support, and delivery to meet customers’ needs.
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E-Tech Components
Surge Absorbers
Distributor Overview
E-Tech Components, Ltd., established in the UK in 2004, is a specialist wholesaler and distributor of high-power electrical cable accessories to the telecommunications, wind and renewable energy, rail, oil, gas, and nuclear power industries, as well as to major construction projects worldwide. Acquired by Lagercrantz Group in 2017, E-Tech Components, Ltd. holds an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) certification and supports customers with design, training, and in-house tool repair and calibration. The company's cable accessories include cable terminals, crimp terminals, copper tube terminals, crimp tools, cable glands, earthing products, and earth rods.
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Kingtronics International Company
Surge Arresters
Distributor Overview
Kingtronics International Company was established in 1990 in Hong Kong and has several factories across China manufacturing electronic components such as bridge rectifiers. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and works with several distributors around the world including KORE, Prod. El, DTDS, and others. The company produces two kinds of electronics components: passive components such as aluminum electrolytic capacitors including radial type and axial type, and active components such as diodes, transistors, and bridge rectifiers.
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Surge Absorber Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Time Mark Corp. |
26.3%
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| 2 | Flexicraft Industries |
15.8%
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| 3 | Littelfuse, Inc |
13.2%
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| 4 | Mitsubishi Materials Corporation |
10.5%
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| 5 | E-Tech Components |
7.9%
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| 6 | NIC Components Corp. |
7.9%
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| 7 | KOA Corporation |
5.3%
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| 8 | Matsuo Electric Co.,Ltd. |
5.3%
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| 9 | Levtech Service and Production SRL |
2.6%
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| 10 | Telegärtner |
2.6%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the surge absorber page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- Mitsubishi Materials Corporation: 5,450
- KOA Corporation: 1,622
- Telegärtner: 700
Newly Established Company
- Lision Technology Inc.: 2001 (23 years ago)
- Kingtronics International Company: 1990 (34 years ago)
- NIC Components Corp.: 1982 (42 years ago)
Company with a History
- Matsuo Electric Co.,Ltd.: 1949 (75 years ago)
- KAMAYA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.: 1957 (67 years ago)
- Time Mark Corp.: 1972 (52 years ago)
Surge Absorber Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Surge Absorber Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
4 | 40.0% |
Japan
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3 | 30.0% |
China
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1 | 10.0% |
Taiwan
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1 | 10.0% |
United Kingdom
|
1 | 10.0% |
List of Surge Absorber Products
44 products are listed.
NISSHIN ELECTRIC CO.,LTD
Mounting with Chip Mounter GDT (lightning defense parts) 2 poles 2PE-SMD series
40+ people viewing
■ 2 -pole light pipe that can be implemented with chip mount ・ The shape is 4.5 × 3.2 × 2.7 small square shape ・ JIS C 5381-311 compatible ・ DC ...
NISSHIN ELECTRIC CO.,LTD
8φ ceramic cylindrical cylindrical GDT (thunder defense part) 2 polar pipe SRYA series
30+ people viewing
■ 2 -pole light tube using 8φ ceramic cylindrical cylinders ・ Impulse discharge current 5kA × 5 times (8/20μs) ・ The shape is φ8 (nominal diamete...
NISSHIN ELECTRIC CO.,LTD
8φ ceramic cylindrical use GDT (thunder defense part) 2 polar pipe SRYH series
30+ people viewing
■ 2 -pole light tube using 8φ ceramic cylindrical cylinders ・ Impulse discharge current 10kA (8/20μs) (also available in 20kA) ・ The shape is φ8 ...
NISSHIN ELECTRIC CO.,LTD
8φ ceramic cylindrical use GDT (lightning defense parts) 2 polar pipe SRYG series
40+ people viewing
■ 2 -pole light tube using 8φ ceramic cylindrical cylinders ・ Impulse discharge current 5kA × 5 times (8/20μs) ・ The shape is φ8 (nominal diamete...
NISSHIN ELECTRIC CO.,LTD
Thunder reservoirs suitable for protection of lightning surge (thunder defense parts) Other pipe species 5 polar pipes
40+ people viewing
■ Thunder residue suitable for protecting lightning surge of equipment that uses up and down signal lines with control monitoring devices, etc. ・ ...
NISSHIN ELECTRIC CO.,LTD
Nanocondo response 2 -pole lightning pipe GDT (lightning defense parts) High -speed response pipe 2PX series
40+ people viewing
■ Compared to the conventional GDT, the 2 -pole lighting tube of the nanocondo response that has greatly improved the discharge delay in the surge ...
NISSHIN ELECTRIC CO.,LTD
GDT that can be implemented with Chip Mounter (thunder defense part) 3 pole 3PB-SMD series
30+ people viewing
■ 3 -pole light tube that can be implemented with chip mount ・ Impulse discharge current 5kA (8/20μ) ・ The shape is φ6 (nominal diameter) ・ DC d...
NISSHIN ELECTRIC CO.,LTD
6φ ceramic cylindrical use GDT (thunder defense part) 2 poles 2PB series
130+ people viewing
Last viewed: 12 hours ago
■ 2 -pole light pipe using a 6φ ceramic cylinder ・ Impulse discharge current 5kA (8/20μs) ・ The shape is φ6 (nominal diameter) ・ DC discharge st...
NISSHIN ELECTRIC CO.,LTD
6φ ceramic cylindrical cylindrical GDT (lightning defense part) 3 poles 3PB series
30+ people viewing
■ 3 -pole light tube using a 6φ ceramic cylinder ・ Impulse discharge current 5kA (8/20μs) ・ The shape is φ6 (nominal diameter) ・ Two types of bo...
NISSHIN ELECTRIC CO.,LTD
GDT that can be implemented with chip mount (thunder defense part) 2 pole 2PB-SMD series
40+ people viewing
■ 2 -pole light pipe that can be implemented with chip mount ・ Impulse discharge current 5kA (8/20μ) ・ The shape is φ6 (nominal diameter) ・ DC d...
NISSHIN ELECTRIC CO.,LTD
7.8φ ceramic cylindrical use GDT (thunder defense parts) 3 polar pipe SR3YP series
30+ people viewing
■ 3 -pole light tube using a 7.8φ ceramic cylinder ・ Impulse discharge current 10kA (8/20μs) ・ The shape is φ8 (nominal diameter) ・ Prepare iTu-...
