Crossed Field Closing Switch Development.

The preliminary testing and the design of crossed field closing switches for use at an average power of 0.48 MW are described. This work is directed towards a full power demonstration at 40 kV, 20 kA (10 microsec pulse width) operating at 125 Hz and an average current of 24 A. The key feature of the crossed field closing switch as opposed to other spark gap switches is the randomization of the arc location on a shot-to-shot basis. This desired randomization is observed at the intermediate test levels thus far attempted with an uncooled device. A fully cooled device has been designed and is under construction. (Author)
Also available as Rept. no. GIDEP-301.55.00.00-04-01.