Performance of a high current, low pressure hydrogen radial pseudospark switch

Tetra, under contract to Sandia National Laboratory has designed, built and tested a high current low pressure radial pseudospark switch. The new switch utilizes a diffuse radial discharge (from which the name radial pseudospark switch is derived) which greatly reduces electrode erosion and increased overall life-time. Switch testing was performed in two stages: low current testing at Tetra, and high current testing at Sandia. Low current tests were performed on the switch at voltage levels of 10-20 kV, peak currents of over 200 kA, and switched energies of 100 kJ. High currents tests were performed on the Sandia Switch Test Stand at energy levels of greater than 300 kJ and peak currents in excess of 500 kA.