Steep front impulse flashover tests on a solid-state relay

A protective relay system, subjected to a high-voltage, steep-front impulse, has been shown to fail in the laboratory via flashover-induced current follow through on the DC power supply. Laboratory experiments were performed to characterize the response of a protective relay to steep-front impulses. These impulses may be the result of a nuclear-induced, high-altitude electromagnetic pulse. Tests were also conducted to quantify the protection offered by a surge protection package on the DC circuits of a relay system. Results from these tests were used to assess the vulnerability of a protective relay