A high-voltage switching device based on two high-current vacuum gaps connected in series

A high-voltage switch that consists of two PBY-43 triggered vacuum spark gaps connected in series has been manufactured and tested. The switch is intended for use at a voltage of up to 80 W The maximum current switched is 200 kA. The breakdown strength of the switch has been theoretically and experimentally investigated. Experimental and theoretical breakdown-voltage distribution functions have been obtained for the gaps and the switch. Based on the empirical breakdown-voltage distributions for both of the gaps, the breakdown-voltage distribution for the switch has been calculated and found to be in satisfactory agreement with the measurement results.