Triggered operation of a corona controlled and stabilized cascade switch

Abstract

This paper describes further investigations into the behavior of a corona stabilized cascade switch which uses control of the corona emission within the cascade to achieve robust voltage grading across the cascade gaps. The corona emission of the electrodes has been characterised over a range of pressures, as has the breakdown behaviour of the gaps. This has allowed the expected self-break behavior of a two gap cascade to be predicted as a function of gap spacing and pressure. The results have allowed a suitable pressure range to be defined for the operation of the switch. The triggered behavior of breakdown of a single cascade has also been assessed in ambient air for a range of triggering voltages.