FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematics of exemplary gas tube-switches 500 and 600 for use in FACTS 100, 200, 300, and 400 (shown in FIGS. 1-4, respectively). Gas tube switch 500 includes an anode 520 opposed to a cathode 522. Anode 520 and cathode 522 are located within a chamber 524 and separated by a discharge gap. Chamber 524 further contains an ionizable gas 526 that occupies the discharge gap. When the switch is closed, ionizable gas 526 is ionized producing a highly conductive plasma extending from anode 520 to cathode 522. Gas tube switch 500, in certain embodiments, includes a keep-alive electrode 528 that maintains a weak plasma between cathode 522 and keep-alive electrode 528, facilitating creation of the highly conducive plasma. Maintaining the highly conductive plasma results in some loss, which is referred to as a forward voltage drop. When the switch is open, ionizable gas 526, which is non-conductive, insulates anode 520 and switching electrode 530, which is characterized by a standoff voltage. The standoff voltage is a function of various design parameters of the switch, including, for example, and without limitation, electrode materials, electrode geometry, discharge gap geometry, properties of ionizable gas 526, pressure within chamber 524, and operating temperature of the switch. Standoff voltages for gas tube switch 500 ranges from 10,000 volts to 300,000 volts inclusively, for example, and without limitation. In alternative embodiments, standoff voltages for gas tube switch 500 may exceed 300,000 volts.