Design and implementation of a portable lightning current simulator

Summary form only given. A portable, three-stage, one-megajoule Marx bank generator has been developed that will produce a 200-kA lightning impulse. The design lightning impulse waveform is a category A waveform as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration. Waveform A is a double exponential with a peak amplitude of 200 kA, a time to peak of 6.4 /spl mu/s, a decay time to 50% of peak amplitude of 69 /spl mu/s, and an action integral of 2/spl times/10/sup 6/ A/sup 2/-s. The completed generator will have an inductance of approximately 1.9 /spl mu/H, which will allow up to 4.5 /spl mu/H of load inductance while maintaining the waveform A specification. This impulse generator is unique due to its relatively compact size and its transportability. The generator uses 24 high energy-density capacitors each rated at 44 kV and 50 kJ. Each 213 cm/spl times/229 cm (84"/spl times/90") stage holding eight of the capacitors is inserted into a frame of 213 cm (84") in height. The weight of each stage is 1270 kg (2800 lbs). Due to its modular construction, each stage can be removed and the generator can be reassembled on a truck allowing the generator to be transported to various test sites. The Marx bank is switched with a Maxwell Model 40200 triggered rail gap. Rod gaps with semispherical electrodes are used to switch the upper two stages.