RECYCLABLE LOW-COST MINIATURE HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCH

THE INSTRUMENT RESEARCH COMPANY IS PROPOSING A DEVELOPMENT EFFORT LEADING TO AN INEXPENSIVE, RUGGED, RELIABLE MINIATURE HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCH. TWO PRACTICAL APPROACHES ARE DISCUSSED; THE FIRST, A SWITCH EMPLOYING A MINIATURE SPHERICAL SPARK GAP WITH A MID-PLANE TRIGGER ELECTRODE, FABRICATED WITH AVAILABLE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TECHNOLOGY.TRIGGERING CIRCUITRY EMPLOYING A PRINTED CIRCUIT STEP-UP COIL AND SURFACE-MOUNTED TRIGGERING COMPONENTS ARE ENVISIONED. A SECOND APPROACH EXAMINES MINIATURE SEALED GAS SPARK GAPS, SOLD AS TRANSIENT SUPPRESSORS, IN A HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCHING CONFIGURATION. TRIGGER ELECTRODE FIRING VIA THE CIRCUIT DISCUSSED ABOVE WILL BE EMPLOYED. THE PROPOSAL INDICATES A PRACTICAL DIRECTION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MATERIALS, OUTLINES THE TYPE OF TEST INSTRUMENTATION REQUIRED, AND DISCUSSES THE WAYS WE INTEND TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEMS. OPTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES TO MEET THE SWITCH REQUIREMENTS ARE DISCUSSED, TOGETHER WITH THE DIFFICULTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THEM.