Design of a triggerable ignition circuit for model spark gap diagnostics

Abstract

Several types of protective devices are used in the state-of-the-art electrical grids. One important element is the surge current arrester, which protects grid sections, human beings and electrical devices in case of switch off overvoltages or lightning events. The paper describes the design of an externaltriggered ignition circuit, enabling precise investigation of spark gap recovery behaviour, with no interaction between the circuit and current sources due to galvanic separation. As a result, the range of validity of the ignition circuit is determined with regard to the charging voltage of the surge current generator