100 kV and 1,5 MA vacuum spark gap for starting and crowbar regimes of capacitive energy storage

Two variants of design of the 100 kV, 1.5 MA low-inductive cylindrical vacuum spark gaps for the operation both in the ''discharge'' and ''crowbar'' regimes in capacitive energy storages (CES) of electrophysical devices are developed and studied. In the ''discharge'' regime the spark gap is used for the switching at the given moment of preliminarily charged capacitor bank on a low-inductive load low-active resistance, in the ''crowbar'' regime-the spark gap short-circuits the load at the moment of maximal current gain when the voltage on the load is close to zero. The casing of the spark gaps is fabricated of plexiglas electrodes - of steel, control electrode is a rod 1.0-1.5 mm in diameter of tungsten and stainless steel. Timing characteristics of the spark gaps are given. In the long-term operation of the spark gaps with CES modulus (about 104 switches) stability of their insulating properties is investigated. At the currents 100-1500 kA the strength voltage has the value 105-115 kV