Characterization of ceramic capacitors for high-voltage pulse-discharge applications
Energy-storage, high-current, pulse discharge capacitors have been of interest for some time in applications such as weapon firing sets, trigger circuits and laser power sources. For high reliability and temperature stability reasons, these capacitors have typically utilized Mylar or mica-paper dielectrics for high-voltage applications in the 2 to 6-kV range with peak currents greater than 5 kA and rise times less than 100 ns. Because of their volumetric efficiency some multilayer ceramic (MLC) capacitors have been used for trigger applications to approximately 750 volts with 2 kA peak current and pulse widths of approximately 1.5 {mu}s. More recently, MLC capacitors have been developed for output filters of switchmode, high-voltage power supplies. Dielectric materials and capacitor designs from several manufacturers have been characterized to explore higher voltage applications of MLC capacitors. This characterization includes high-current, pulse discharge mode testing at voltages up to 3.5 kV. This allows their applicability and reliability for the above applications to be assessed. Results of pulse discharge testing, employing a low inductance circuit, with typically 4 kA peak current and 200 ns pulse width, are reported. The usefulness and reliability of larger MLC capacitor values were explored for pulse widths up to 50 {mu}s at typical peak currents of 700 A. Standard capacitor parameters for the various dielectrics also reported. Discharge life testing at varying temperatures and D.C. breakdown testing is used to provide initial estimates of reliability. Finally, MLC capacitor results are compared with a new relatively efficient dual dielectric (film/paper) design.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 10131191
- Report Number(s):
- SAND--92-2120C; CONF-930394--3; ON: DE93007601
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
426000
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450000
CAPACITORS
CERAMICS
COMPONENTS
ELECTRON DEVICES AND CIRCUITS
DETONATORS
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
ELECTRICAL TESTING
HIGH-VOLTAGE PULSE GENERATORS
MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
MYLAR
PAPER
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TRIGGER CIRCUITS