Problems of Creation of High-Efficient Magnetocumulative Generators. Electric Strength of Helical Magnetocumulative Generators

Helical MCGs have a wide range of output characteristics, and they are frequently used in pulsed-power experiments. The absence of electric breakdowns at compression of a magnetic flux in the generator volume is one of the important factors of stable and efficient operation of fast helical MCGs. This paper considers the problems associated with both a decrease of maximum voltages in the MCG circuit and an increase of electric strength of the generator elements. The direction of possible electric breakdowns, i.e., their localization, is shown experimentally. The influence of shock-compressed air on the electric strength of the device is also presented. The use of solid (film) insulation on the stator windings is important. A value of the magnetic flux losses in the winding insulation is determined experimentally.