Recent results of vacuum-arc switched multi-megawatt inverter tests

Previous studies have shown the possibility of using a vacuum arc switch (VAS) in high power force commutated or series commutated inverter circuits. One such application, discussed in this paper, is in the development of a 10,000-volt, multi-megawatt series capacitor inverter circuit. Initial testing has been performed on a 10 kHz series resonant L-C circuit using a VAS. Single pulse tests at 3000 A peak and 5000 V have been very successful. Extensive energy loss studies of the various circuit components result in predicted inverter efficiencies in excess of 95 percent. The tests show that these high efficiencies will be achievable if high quality circuit components are used. The inductors must be fabricated from Litz wire. Low loss materials must be used for the capacitors and distributed connections must be made to capacitor elements.