Electric breakdown strength of high-current triggered vacuum switches

The paper considers the influence of operating conditions of high-current triggered vacuum switches with six-gap rod electrode systems on the breakdown strength of their internal insulation. Studies were performed in two switching regimes. In the first regime, the erosion of electrodes occurs mainly in the vapor phase, when the electrodes' surfaces remained fairly smooth after switching. In the second regime, the erosion in the drop phase prevails, and the electrodes' surfaces were appreciably damaged. Statistical processing of the experimental data shows that the distribution of the voltages of the first breakdown follows the Weibull law. The effect of the interelectrode gap and the material of the electrodes on the breakdown strength of the devices is considered. The maximum operating voltage of an PBY-43 triggered vacuum discharge switch is determined.