Pulsed power applications of TDI-type pseudospark switches

In the paper a number of factors affecting PSS electrodes erosion are considered. The basic modes of arc discharge and external factors affecting the thyratrons service time in this installations include the following four major ones: A - discharge without oscillations (aperiodic current), B - operation with current oscillations, C - operation with excess of maximum permitted current. Besides, the influence of thyratron switching circuit parameters on the service time becomes extremely important when the fourth factor D - Lorentz force appears to be considered. The data of life tests for the most powerful thyratrons TDII-200k/25 and TDIl-50k/45 allow to give the recommendations on improvement of the thyratrons operation reliability.