Studying performance of spark gap RBU-63-20 at elevated currents

Operation of serial spark gap RBU-63-20 in two regimes was considered: current commutation of non-periodic shape (current amplitude 80-150 kA, pulse duration ≈2ms, charge per pulse 100 Cu) and current commutation in the shape of attenuating sinusoid (amplitude of the first) current semiwave was 200 kA, period of current oscillations 600 mKs, charge per operation ≈ 75 Cu). Spark gap of RBU-63-20 type was also used to form non-periodic pulse. The spark gap was shown to conduct up to 100 Cu per operation ≈ 2000 times in case of current amplitude of 150 kA. The spark gap anode destroyed more intensely than cathode under non-periodic regime.