Studies in inverse magnetron discharges of vacuum interrupters: Part 1 — variations in electric field

This paper reports part of a series of experiments to provide detailed information on the characteristics of inverse magnetron discharges in vacuum interrupters. This technique is used widely in the manufacture of commercial vacuum interrupters to determine the level of vacuum and predict the service life. The variation of discharge waveforms with applied voltage were examined for both single and double inverse magnetron discharges.