Characteristics of electromagnetically driven helix arcs for DC switching

Experimental results showing the high power performance of an electromagnetically driven helical arc switch are presented. High-speed photographic records of the arc development in the switch have been obtained, and these confirm the anticipated mode of operation. At the higher values of di/dt, a barrel distortion of the helix envelope occurs. Photographic evidence, showing switch failure caused by short-circuit arcing between the helix turns, is also presented.