Optimization of a fuse opening switch

Summary form only given, as follows. Usually, the Fuses Opening Switch (FOS) are used as power amplifier in high current devices. This kind of device consists of a current generator (for instance capacitor or electrocumulative generator), a storage inductor, the FOS and a load (fixed or variable), in parallel with the FOS. The geometry of the FOS is adapted for the high current device (section, length and diameter of wires) to obtain the highest power in the load. Furthermore, other parameters of the FOS can increase power. We studied particularly the medium surrounding the fuse and the material of the FOS. We realized experiments with different medium surrounding the FOS: sand, plaster, silicon, water, liquid nitrogen, air and SF/sub 6/. The powers which are obtained with sand, plaster, silicon, water and nitrogen are very similar. We obtained a power 40% higher with air and SF/sub 6/. However the duration of the power pulse is larger with SF/sub 6/. We also tested two different materials : copper and silver. The power amplification is 30% higher with silver. Finally, we used all the experimental results to develop different numerical models to describe the behavior of a FOS, depending of the surrounding medium and the material of the FOS.