Stephen L Webb

US Patent:

20030016482, Jan 23, 2003

Filed:

Jul 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/908942

Inventors:

Stephen Webb - Covington GA, US

International Classification:

H02H001/00

US Classification:

361/119000, 361/118000

Abstract:

In a communications system for transmitting and receiving forward and reverse signals, respectively, the communications system includes electrical devices for processing the forward and reverse signals and subscriber equipment for receiving the forward signals and for transmitting the reverse signals. The electrical device, for example, a distribution tap includes an input port for receiving the forward signals and transmitting the reverse signals, an output port for transmitting the forward signals and receiving the reverse signals, and a plurality of subscriber ports -for provisioning a portion of the forward signals to subscriber equipment. Surge gap protection circuits coupled to the input port and to each of the plurality of subscriber ports -are included in the distribution tap each for grounding a combination surge of at least 6 kV. The surge gap protection circuit including a gap over which the combination surge arcs to ground.