Modeling of the dynamic performance of transient recorders used for high voltage impulse tests

Digital recorders are becoming more commonly used in the recording of steep-front HV impulses. Although many digitizers exhibit a nonlinear deterioration in dynamic performance with increasing input signal steepness, there is no accepted method for predicting the magnitude of the resulting errors. The authors describe the development and implementation of a computer modeling technique for establishing the magnitude of these errors. The model is based on time-domain test data combined with a basic understanding of the digitizer´s operating principles. The model is general in nature and can be used for the prediction of errors generated by any recorder that has systematic errors. The model was used to predict the maximum error which can occur when a particular EBS (electron-bombarded semiconductor) recorder is used to monitor HV impulse tests on power apparatus. Its use allowed for the determination of error limits for records of steep-front impulse tests which will be standardized in the near future