An explanation of surges related to TVS (Transient Voltage Suppressors)

From my aerospace work, the lightning tests were always the hardest to pass for new equipment.  Those transients can do a lot of damage!

How did you manage to get lightning to strike your lab on request? Do you and Mother Nature have something going on?

I hear that he models her favorite railroad.

Apparently, you've never been to a modern EMI testing facility.  They put the device in an interesting room with all sorts of RF absorbing cones all over the walls and ceiling, even under the floorboards.  Then they generate the various voltages and frequencies for all the various EMI tests, both radiated and susceptibility.  The tests were done in conformance with RTCA DO-160 if you're familiar with those standards.  The testing takes place over several weeks for a piece of equipment, then a rather voluminous report is generated and you go back and fix whatever failed and do those tests again.  It's a process that all avionics goes through at some level, depending on the system criticality.  The tests also vary depending on where the equipment is located on the aircraft.  In the most extreme cases of high criticality and external locations, the tests are pretty brutal.  This equipment has to have extensive EMI and lightning protection to have a shot at passing.  Many of our boxes went into places like wheel wells in direct contact with the outside, so they were right up at the top of the charts.