A surge protector (also called surge protection devices, surge arresters, spds) for coupling exposed (to power surges) data communication end ports having a plurality of bi-directional data lines, and protected data communication end ports having a plurality of associated bi-directional data lines. The surge protector includes a plurality of exposed end terminals, each exposed end terminal for connection to a data line of the exposed port, and a plurality of protected end terminals, each protected end terminal for connection to an associated data line of the protected port. The surge protector includes a plurality of transient surge protection elements. Each transient surge protection element is connected across one exposed terminal and a ground, and short circuits current to ground when voltage on the exposed terminal reaches a threshold limit. The surge suppressor also includes a plurality of opto-isolation elements, each connected between a connection for a transient surge suppressor element and a protected terminal. The opto-isolation elements optically couple and galvanically isolate from each other the protected terminals and the exposed terminals.

Inventors: Philip G. Dion; Brian K. Sorenson