Working characteristics of the triggered three-electrode spark gaps with different types of gas insulators

Summary form only given. Comparative analysis of the working characteristics for the gas and vacuum insulated three-electrode spark gaps is presented in this paper. The influence of the different gas insulation parameters on the triggered three-electrode spark gap functioning is considered. Two types of three-electrode vacuum and gas insulated spark gaps have been tested: a spark gap with a third electrode being inside the main electrode, and a spark gap with a separate third electrode. Both types of spark gaps were theoretically sized in the optimal way by computers prediction. In order to investigate the influence of insulation parameters on the spark gap functioning, the type of gas and electrode material have been tested. Besides vacuum applied gases were: SF/sub 6/, N/sub 2/ and a mixture of 0/spl middot/6SF/sub 6/+0/spl middot/4N/sub 2/. The electrode materials were copper, tungsten and steel. The investigation was done by determining the switching time-working voltage under constant values of the other parameters. The working voltage value was taken as a changeable parameter during measurements.