Fast Metallic Contact Solid Dielectric Switch for High Voltage and Current

A metallic contact solid dielectric switch with a closing time of 10.13±0.31 μsec is described. An electrically exploded foil is used to drive a 0.317 cm thick aluminum plate through 0.076 cm polyethylene insulation into solid contact with the other switch electrode. The switch has been used as a series switch in a 20 kV circuit with a current of 1.2×106 A rising in 40 μsec. In a ``crowbar'' application it has carried 40 kA with a 1/e decay time of 45 msec.