Versatile Low Cost Laboratory Switches

The need exists for a versatile, low cost switch which is readily adaptable to the ever changing facilities in high energy research laboratories. Two modular laboratory switches have been developed at the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D. C. Switches may be easily fabricated within the laboratory with a wide choice of features from a basic design and inventory of parts. Precision machining for fabrication or special materials are not required. The first switch discussed has a self-inductance of approximately 40 nanohenries and operates over a voltage range from zero to 60 kilovolts. It is capable of switching from 1 to 500 joules with a life expectancy in excess of 25,000 shots. The second switch extends the energy range from 500 joules to 5 kilojoules with a reduced life expectancy corresponding to the increasing energy. It can be operated up to 20 kilovolts and peak currents to 250 kiloamps. This switch fits directly into any parallel plate arrangement providing low inductance (less than 20 nanohenries) for the switch and its terminals. All inclusive tests to determine the ultimate performance for all switch characteristics have not been made due to the variety of switch configurations. However, test results are presented which show typical performance characteristics as well as switch limitations.