What does the abbreviation MOV stand for?

The abbreviation MOV stands for Metal Oxide Varistor. This component is designed to protect electrical circuits from voltage spikes by clamping excess voltage to a safe level. The metal oxide in its construction allows it to have non-linear resistance, which means that its resistance decreases as the voltage increases. This capability makes MOVs crucial in surge protection devices, as they can absorb excess energy and prevent damage to sensitive electronic parts in electrical systems. Understanding MOVs is essential for linemen, as they often work with various electrical components and need to know how to protect systems from transient voltage conditions.