Electrical Switchgear for Large Nuclear Space Power Systems

Abstract

The basic technology has been developed for high temperature (>1000°F) radiation resistant (>109 rad) space power switchgear under NASA's contract NAS 3-2546 with General Electric. The vacuum insulated switch has been selected to meet these requirements and the megawatt level high frequency (2000 cps) application. Refractory electrodes, tested at 1200°F in a radiant heated ceramic chamber, have cleared 2000 cps alternating currents of 4300 A at 2200 V. DC currents of 21 A have been chopped at 10.8 KV.