Operational characteristics of a surface breakdown triggered vacuum switch with six gap rod electrode system

A triggered vacuum switch (TVS) is one of the important apparatuses in the field of pulsed power system. It has many advantages, such as wide working voltage range, high current capability, high transfer charge, flexible trigger system, high trigger reliability, rapid dielectric recovery, long life, compact fabric, low noise, etc. A small and compact sample of surface-breakdown TVS with six-gap rod electrode system was fabricated in this paper, and a test platform of TVS was set up. The test results show that, the TVS sample has working voltage of 0.05-28 kV, current peak of 225 kA and transfer charge of 45Cb. Due to the ceramic surface in the trigger gap, the time delay of TVS is controlled in less than 1.5 μs, and long trigger life is in prospect. Lastly, the working polarities are discussed, showing that the positive working mode is more reliable and advantageous.