1 MJ pulsed current source

The pulsed current source is intended for research of high-current electrical discharges in dense media in laboratory conditions. The facility includes two modules of capacitive energy storage, control panel unit and cable collector which connects facility with the load. Each module is a functionally completed remote-operated capacitive energy storage 0.5 MJ, 18 kV, built on eight capacitor cells with reverse-switching dynistor (RSD) switches. The module has volume 1.3 m³ and comprises a charger with a high-frequency inverter, a protection contactor with normally closed high-voltage contacts to neutralize the cell charge, control units for triggering of RSD switches, control and diagnostics apparatus with a programmable logic controller. The semiconductor switches in the capacitor cells are triggered by light pulses transmitted from a control panel unit via fiber-optical cables. Information exchange between the modules control and diagnostics system and the control panel unit is also realized through fiber-optical cables. The facility is designed for operation in the programmable discharge mode, when semiconductor switches in the capacitor cells are switched on in the specified time sequence according to the preset program. A maximal current pulse amplitude of 800 kA at the module output is attained during simultaneous discharge of all cells in the short-circuit mode. The wave-front of the current pulse is 150 μs.