Surge/transient protector for a plurality of data lines

Claim 1

A surge/transient protector for protecting a plurality of N data lines, grouped together at a given location, on which lines data are transmitted within a given data voltage range, each data line comprising first and second data conductors and a return conductor, the protector comprising: N data line segments each including first and second data conductor segments and a return conductor segment; first and second connector means for connecting each of the N data line segments in series in one of the N data lines; a positive bus, a negative bus, and a reference bus; grounding means for connecting the reference bus to a plane of common potential; first unidirectional coupling means coupling each data conductor segment to the positive bus; second unidirectional coupling means coupling each data conductor segment to the negative bus; bi-directional return coupling means coupling each return conductor segment to the reference bus; a first large transient/surge energy storage device, connected between the positive bus and the reference bus, and having a positive threshold potential slightly larger than one-half the data voltage range; a second large transient/surge energy storage device, connected between the negative bus and the reference bus, and having a negative threshold potential approximately equal to the positive threshold potential; and N discharge devices, each connected to the plane of reference potential and to the first and second data conductors in one data line segment, the discharge devices having a breakdown potential much higher than the data voltage range.