Abstract
Switching characteristics of two series-connected triggered vacuum gaps (TVGs) have been investigated experimentally. Each TVG was mechanically connected in series to be four connection modes. The withstand voltage of two series-connected TVGs was about 2 times greater than that of a single TVG. It was also observed that there was no effect of the connection modes against the withstand voltage of two series-connected TVGs when the impulse voltage polarity was positive or negative. The similar case was also shown in a single TVG.
The polarity effect to the switching time and the grounding were pronounced. When the lower TVG was grounded and both nonholed electrodes were positive, the switching time was short and nearly constant(1.4μs at 5 to 30kV). Conversely, when both nonholed electrodes were negative, the switching time was long. When the polarity of each nonholed electrode was different, the switching time was long. However the polarity effect to the switching time decreased.
When two series-connected TVGs was floating, it showed the shortest switching time and nearly constant(0.3μs at 5 to 25kV).
