High Power Cockcroft-Walton Generator

To utilize the full current capability of the regular or symmetrical cascade generator, the conventional selenium rectifiers have to be replaced by a series-connection of silicon diodes which are rather sensitive to overvoltages and overcurrents. The problem of the application and protection of silicon diodes in high voltage generators had to be overcome in connection with the design of an air-insulated 770-kV dc power supply with a rated current of 180 mA dc for the ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA, LTD., Chalk River, Ontario and also for a 2 MV, 30 mA test facility.