What does TVSS primarily suppress?

TVSS, or Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor, is designed primarily to suppress unwanted voltage transients that can affect electrical systems. This includes a variety of disturbances such as impulses—sudden spikes in voltage often caused by lightning strikes or switching actions, static electricity, which can discharge and create momentary voltage fluctuations, and switching transients that occur when electrical devices are turned on and off.

The ability of TVSS to suppress these various transient events is critical because they can lead to equipment malfunctions, shortened lifespan, or even catastrophic failures in sensitive electronic components. By effectively managing these surges, TVSS units protect the integrity of electrical systems and help ensure reliable operation.

Other options, while mentioning important electrical phenomena, do not fully encompass the role of TVSS. Static electricity is a part of the transients TVSS suppresses but is not the sole focus. Electrical noise and voltage sags are different electrical issues; noise refers more to continuous disturbances in power signals, and voltage sags pertain to drops in voltage levels, neither of which are the primary function of a TVSS. Hence, the ability of TVSS to handle a broader range of transients makes the second choice the most accurate representation of its purpose.