A parametric SPICE model for the simulation of spark gap switches

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Computational Physics
• Pulsed Power Systems

Background:

• SPICE-based software is widely used for pulsed power system simulations.
• Existing SPICE programs lack realistic models for critical pulsed power components like spark gap switches.
• Previous specialized codes (e.g., Screamer, Bertha) offered component-specific models but lacked SPICE's accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a physically realistic SPICE circuit model for gas-filled spark gap switches.
• To create a model simple enough for efficient simulation on personal computers.
• To provide a practical design tool for pulsed power systems using SPICE.

Main Methods:

• Developed a novel SPICE circuit model for gas-filled spark gap switches.
• Focused on incorporating physical realism while maintaining computational efficiency.
• Provided implementation details for LTspice and Orcad PSPICE, adaptable to other SPICE versions.

Main Results:

• The developed SPICE model accurately simulates spark gap switch behavior.
• Model implementation was demonstrated on a high-pressure pulsed-charged switch and a 12-stage Marx generator.
• Validation confirmed the model's accuracy across a broad range of operational parameters.

Conclusions:

• The new SPICE model offers a realistic and efficient simulation tool for pulsed power systems.
• It bridges the gap between general-purpose SPICE software and the specific needs of pulsed power component modeling.
• The model facilitates direct connection between physical parameters and the design of functional pulsed power systems.