High Voltage Switches

PowerMod solid-state switches provide nearly ideal switching behavior. Switching can occur in as little as 50 nanoseconds, and pulse repetition frequencies up to 30 kHz are available. Pulsewidths are variable on a pulse-to-pulse basis from 1 microsecond to DC.

Switches require only 110 VAC power for operation, and accept pulse commands via fiber optic link.

Switch modules are controlled at ground with a simple, magnetically-coupled loop and are easy to operate in floating high voltage circuits. They require no ancillary high-voltage isolated power and operate fully "on" or fully "off", greatly easing high-voltage management when compared to conventional floating decks and ancillary circuitry. This design allows the entire switch to float at up to 200 kV where required.

A PowerMod™ solid-state switch can be employed as an "opening switch", an alternative to the protective crowbars found in sophisticated high voltage, high power radar transmitters and accelerators. An opening switch opens in less than a microsecond when an arc is sensed, yet can be closed immediately. Because the energy-storage capacitor does not discharge during an arc, high voltage (and RF) can be turned on again immediately after the arc clears. A solid-state opening-switch yields high circuit efficiency, and lower life cycle costs.