Various aspects provide for structures and devices to protect against spurious electrical events (e.g., electrostatic discharge). Some embodiments incorporate a voltage switchable dielectric material (VSDM) bridging a gap between two conductive pads. Normally insulating, the VSDM may conduct current from one pad to the other during a spurious electrical event (e.g., shunting current to ground). Some aspects include gaps having a gap width that is greater than 50% of a spacing between electrical leads connected to the pads. Some devices include single layers of VSDM. Some devices include multiple layers of VSDM. Various devices may be designed to increase a ratio of active volume (of VSDM) to inactive volume.