Electrode erosion characteristics and failure prediction of high-power repetitive two-electrode spark-gap switch under adverse conditions

Switch is one of the key components in the pulsed power system. The two-electrode spark-gap switch made of alloy Cu-W has many advantages such as high current capability, long lifetime, and stability. Many researches have established a series of models of electrode erosion for failure prediction. Few of them considered adverse conditions, which means the switch works in a small airtight cavity without ventilation system or cooling system. The purpose of this paper was to find the electrode erosion characteristics under adverse conditions and to establish a feasible failure prediction model.