ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTICS FOR PULSED POWER

R. Verma, R. S. Rawat, P. Lee, S. V. Springham, T. L. Tan

NSSE, NIE, Nanyang Technological University
1 Nanyang Walk, 637616, Singapore

M. Krishnan
Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation, San Leandro, CA 94577, USA
 Abstract

Pulsed power systems are integral part of any pulsed plasma radiation device and
hence the associated electrical diagnostics plays vital role in investigating the overall
device performance and its characteristics. The typical diagnostic parameters of
interest in any pulsed power system are linked with the measurement of high
frequency, high voltages and currents. There is wide range of available diagnostics
being used by practicing researchers for the measurement of mentioned parameters
but even though they operate on simple laws of electromagnetics and the conceptual
understanding is clear; the bandwidth response of such diagnostics is often limited by
various parasitic effects that impairs the factual measurement of parameters. The
scope of the paper is to introduce various invasive and non-invasive electrical
diagnostics used in pulsed power systems and highlight the concealed causes that
affect their behavioral response.

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics and Applications, Singapore July 2 – 3, 2009

 Purpose

 This talk is meant to provide an overview of standard electrical

diagnostic techniques used in pulsed power systems driving pulsed
plasma devices.

 The main focus will be on pulsed electric and magnetic field (Voltage
& Current) measurement techniques having bandwidth response in ns
to ms regimes.

 Parasitic effects that impairs the factual measurement of parameters

will be discussed.

 Overview of design methodology.

 Noise and Shielding.

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics and Applications, Singapore July 2 – 3, 2009

 Categorization
Pulsed Power Electrical Diagnostic Tools

Current measuring devices Voltage measuring devices

Non-intrusive Intrusive Intrusive Non-intrusive

Rogowski Coils
Current Transformers
Current Shunt
Simple resistive dividers
Compensated dividers
Capacitive Voltage dividers
International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics and Applications, Singapore July 2 – 3, 2009
 Rogowski Coils
“most effective, economic and extensively
  used diagnostic”
i   H .dl Amperes Law
It is an air-cored toroidal coil
that surrounds the conductor
carrying the current to be
measured.

Faraday’s Law

d
Vcoil  n
dt

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics and Applications, Singapore July 2 – 3, 2009

 Sensitivity of Rogowski Coil

The current to be measured is related to the induced

voltage by a proportionality constant i.e. the mutual
inductance of the coil.

di
Vcoil   M 21  M  0 nA
dt
M = Coil Sensitivity (Vs/A)
(depends on the coil winding design)
di/dt = rate of change of current (A/s)
n & A = design and geometry parameters
International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics and Applications, Singapore July 2 – 3, 2009
 Sensitivities for different cross-sections

Rectangular
Cross-section

Circular
Cross-section

Oval
Cross-section

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics and Applications, Singapore July 2 – 3, 2009

 Time response consideration
Differentiating / Integrating !
- depends on circuit parameters

d dI c I c
L 
dt dt R
1 d L dI c
  Ic
R dt R dt

Differentiating Self-Integrating

L dI c d L dI c
L  R
R dt
 I c R  L Ic 
R dt
 I c Ic  
dt

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics and Applications, Singapore July 2 – 3, 2009

 Realistic lumped circuit model

I(t)

- solution is complex !
High frequency response (bandwidth) is determined by :
 Coil inductance (Lc)  Stray capacitance of winding (Cc)
 Coil resistance (Rc)  Termination impedance (Z)
International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics and Applications, Singapore July 2 – 3, 2009
 High bandwidth issues

1. The rise time (tr) of the 2. Role of termination

measuring pulse is impedance (Z) is very
limited by the wave important.
transit time (T) in the R  L L  R
coil winding.
tr >T always

20 ns/div
5 ns/div

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics and Applications, Singapore July 2 – 3, 2009

 High bandwidth issues

3. Highest frequency 4. Non-uniform excitation

measurement limited by due to dislocation of
resonant frequency (LC) current centroid may lead
of the coil. to strong oscillations in
“distributed capacitance the sensor signal
due large no. of turns”

http://www.pemuk.com

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics and Applications, Singapore July 2 – 3, 2009

 High bandwidth issues

5. High voltage 6. Shielding - is placing the

consideration Rogowski coil inside the
slotted metallic housing.

“Some times coupling capacitance b/w the winding

and shielding may affect the signal response”
International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics and Applications, Singapore July 2 – 3, 2009
 Design methodology for differentiating Rogowski

Step 1: Estimate the di/dt in the circuit.

di 2
  I pk
dt T
Step 2: Fix the max. limit for the induced voltage (Vcoil).
Step 3: Use the basic equation:
0 di
Vcoil  NA  
2R dt
A  ab
Step 4: Choose optimum values for –
a,b, R and N. John Anderson, RSI 42,7,1971
International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics and Applications, Singapore July 2 – 3, 2009
 Current Monitors

- are similar to self integrating Rogwski Coils in

response but utilize high permeability magnetic
core for coil winding.
- the presence of high permeability core is important
for the extension of flat response to low frequency.
- Usage: CT’s – Universal / Rogowski Coil - Customized.
International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics and Applications, Singapore July 2 – 3, 2009
Thank you