Air gaps for overvoltage protection applications on systems with operating voltages equal to or less than 600 V rms are covered. These protective devices are designed for limiting the voltages on balanced or unbalanced communication, power, and signaling circuits. A series of standard design tests for determining the electrical characteristics of these air gap devices is specified. The tests provide a means of comparison among various air gap surge-protective devices.

This standard applies to air gaps for over-voltage protection applications on systems with operating voltages equal to or less than 600 Vrms. These protective devices are designed for limiting the voltages on balanced or unbalanced communication and signaling circuits. Specifically, excluded from this standard are value and expulsion type devices covered by ANSI/IEEE C62.1-1981, Standard for Surge Arresters for Alternating-Current Power Circuits. This standard contains a series of standard tests for determining the electrical characteristics of these air gap device.