Surge Protection
Transient Voltage Suppressors and Crowbar Circuits
Lunar surge protection systems employ transient voltage suppressor diodes, thyristor crowbars, and metal-oxide varistors to protect settlement electronics from voltage surges. Although atmospheric lightning is absent on the Moon, power distribution networks experience electrical switching transients alongside electrostatic discharge risks from dust events and extravehicular activity. Operating with zero standby power consumption, these units clamp surges in less than one nanosecond or short the bus during over-voltage events, dissipating peak pulse power up to 30,000 watts to achieve a 25-year operational lifetime.
Transient voltage suppressors (TVS) and crowbar circuits protecting electronics from voltage surges from switching transients, lightning-equivalent events, and ESD.
Purpose
Transient voltage suppressors (TVS) and crowbar circuits protecting electronics from voltage surges from switching transients, lightning-equivalent events, and ESD.
Context
Child of L2-PDM-PROT within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸TVS diodes clamp surges in <1 ns
- ▸Crowbar circuits short bus on over-voltage to protect downstream
- ▸MOV alternative for high-energy events
- ▸Surge ratings exceed IEC 61000-4-5 Class 4
- ▸Self-resetting after transient
Typical implementations
- ▸MIL-STD-461F transient protection compliance
- ▸ISS surge protection design heritage
- ▸Industrial surge protection devices
Lunar considerations
- ▸No lightning on Moon, but switching transients still occur
- ▸ESD risk during EVA / dust events
- ▸Long-life devices required
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Transient voltage suppressors (TVS) and crowbar circuits protecting electronics from voltage surges from switching transients, lightning-equivalent events, and ESD. |
| clamp response ns | 1 |
| peak pulse power w | 30000 |
Physical
| mass kg | 2 |
| materials | TVS diodes, MOVs, Thyristor crowbars |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 0 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 25 |
| mtbf hours | 400000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Protected supply to electronics
- Protected supply to comm equipment
Requires
- Bus connection
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Surge Protection" (L3-PDM-PROT-SURGE). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-PDM-PROT-SURGE
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.