--Previous Message--
: I stumbled across your web-site while searching for information for
: high-current interrupters.
: I want to upgrade a high-current, ~1MJ inductor-interrupting switch in a
: cost-effective manner.
: Present system uses Parallel SCR's, with SCR cap-discharge commutation,
: and voltage-limiting energy-dump resistor: Imax.dc: 20kA
: Imax.commutation: 12 kA
: Vmax.interruption: 0.5 kV
: Voltage.rise-time: ~10 ms
: Opening jitter: < 2 ms
: Desired upgrade specs: Imax.commutation: 20 kA
: Vmax.interruption: 1 kV
: Voltage.rise-time: < 5 ms
: Opening jitter: < 5 ms
: Min.interruptions before maintenance: 100
:
: Brute-force upgrading the commutation system to higher voltage and
: current is likely to be costly, bulky, and increase the rise time.
: Likewise, an R&D project is likely to be prohibitively expensive.
: Are there other options (preferrably commercial systems) that might be
: adaptable for my purposes, e.g.,
: 1) contactor/transistor combo switches
: 2) contactor, magnetic blow-out switches
: Trade-offs?
: Al Lietzke

Hello Al,

Sounds like an interesting problem. Fortunately the timing specs aren't too rigorous. I need to know a bit more about the environment that this system is imbedded within before I can suggest options. I'll contact you directly via eMail.

Best regards,

-- Bert --