Publications Details

Energy losses in switches

Martin, T.H.; Seamen, J.F.; Jobe, D.O.

The results of experiments on the energy losses in switches are presented. All experiments were circuit code modeled after the development of a new switch loss version based on Braginskii's spark channel theory for gasses. The circuit code predicts switch energy loss and peak currents as a function of time. Slight constant offsets between the theory and data that depended on the switching dielectric were observed. Plasma conductivity for each tested dielectric was modified to lessen this offset. An excellent agreement between the theory and experiment was also observed. The new model successfully predicted the series resistance of Marx generators.